A RETIRED teacher from Poole has been accused of indecency offences in Cambodia.

Reginald Blakeley, 70, now faces trial in tourist capital Siem Reap, where the penalty for those found guilty of such offences can be up to three years in jail and a fine of £10,000.

Blakeley, pictured, was arrested on January 16 and is now in custody facing a charge of committing an indecent act against a child under 15. It is thought his trial could be held within six months.

The charge follows an investigation by children’s charity APLE, which handed a dossier of photos to the police.

The photos disclosed to the Daily Echo showed a man said to be Mr Blakeley associating with local children, but none showed any criminal activity.

Spokesmen for Borough of Poole and Bournemouth council said they had no record of Blakeley teaching at schools in the area.

A relative at an address in Poole refused to comment to the Echo but one family member has said they hoped the issue was a misunderstanding.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “It would be for the Cambodian authorities to comment. Dorset Police does not comment on anyone who may or may not be subject to an investigation.”