A 21-YEAR OLD man is due in court this morning charged with abusing children after he was extradited from the Czech Republic in a joint operation between Suffolk and Norfolk police.

A 21-YEAR OLD man is due in court this morning charged with abusing children after he was extradited from the Czech Republic in a joint operation between Suffolk and Norfolk police.

Patrick Burnell will face magistrates in Norwich today after he was bought back to the UK on suspicion of 16 offences of abusing children and making pornography involving children.

Burnell, who is understood to have previously lived in Suffolk, was flown into British custody yesterday from Prague following the issuing of a European Arrest Warrant.

Czech Police said Burnell, who has dual British-Irish citizenship, was suspected of carrying out the offences in Britain between 2003 and 2006.

He was said to have been living in a rented apartment in Prague for two years before his arrest on July 15.

The warrant was issued by the British authorities after a request from Norfolk police three weeks earlier.

A spokeswoman for the force said yesterday: “We can confirm a 21-year-old man has been extradited from Prague today in relation to child sex offences. It is a joint investigation between Norfolk and Suffolk police.

“We do not have any other information at this time.”

Prague's Municipal Court issued the extradition order on July 28 and Burnell was taken to Prague airport where he was flown back to British custody yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said consular assistance had been provided to Burnell since his arrest and would continue to be provided while he remained outside Ireland.

Burnell had been travelling on an Irish passport.

Suffolk police were unable to comment.