Irish sex suspect in court today

A 21-YEAR-OLD Irishman will appear before magistrates today charged with offences involving young girls.

Patrick Burnell was returned to Britain yesterday after he was apprehended in Prague following the issue of a European arrest warrant.

Burnell will appear before magistrates in Norwich today, a spokesman for Norfolk Police said.

“A 21-year-old has been extradited from Prague,” he said.

“It is a joint investigation between Norfolk and Suffolk police in relation to child sex offences.

“He is due before Norwich magistrates.”

Czech police said Burnell was suspected of 16 offences including the sexual abuse of children, manufacturing and possessing pornography involving children and other offences in Britain between 2003 and 2006.

British authorities issued the arrest warrant in June.

Burnell, who has dual British-Irish citizenship, had been travelling on an Irish passport.

His last address has not been released, although it is understood he previously lived in Suffolk.