Paedophile accused deported to Canada

A suspected paedophile who fled to England to escape trial has been recaptured and extradited, police said today.

Computer expert John Cox, 34, is accused of nine child sex charges and firearms offences in Victoria, Canada.

He was traced to Ashford, Kent, despite allegedly using computer encryption and false identities to conceal his movements.

The operation involved police in Kent and Canada, Interpol and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop).

Cox, of Saanich, west Canada, was flown home yesterday after he was held on an international arrest warrant.

Police began hunting for him after he missed a court appearance in Victoria on February 15.

He is charged with offences including grooming and possessing child abuse images spanning nearly four years.

Detective Inspector Matthew Long, of Kent Police, said: "Public protection is Kent Police's priority and our officers work closely with other agencies to ensure that anyone who poses a risk in our communities is put before the courts - anywhere in the world - to face charges put to them."

Saanich Police Chief Constable Mike Chadwick said: "Crimes against children continue to be a top priority for policing agencies throughout the world."

:: In an unrelated case, Briton Roderick Robinson, 72, has been extradited to Australia from Portugal to face trial for child sex offences.

The suspect has been on the run since 2001 over the alleged assault of a young girl and now faces trial in New South Wales, Australia.