British child rapist worked at Maine camp

POLAND – A 35-year-old teacher who was sentenced to prison in England after admitting that he raped a 5-year-old child had been a longtime counselor at a girls residential summer camp in Maine.

Neil Challis pleaded guilty to rape, indecent assault and taking indecent pictures of a child. He was handed an unlimited jail term on June 24 and the judge said he would not be eligible for parole for at least seven years.

Police in Maine were cooperating with British authorities to determine whether Challis committed any crimes during his 14 years on the staff at Tripp Lake Camp in Poland.

Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy Desjardins said a background check by the camp before he was hired turned up nothing. Police also said they found no evidence that Challis assaulted any children while in Maine.