November 2008

Man jailed for child sex offences

A 21-year-old man who admitted sex offences against underage girls has been jailed for three years.

Patrick Burnell, of Hadleigh, Suffolk, was extradited from the Czech Republic in August.

He admitted two offences of sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and grooming her for sex.

He was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court.

His arrest followed a joint investigation involving Norfolk and Suffolk police forces.

He was banned from working with children indefinitely and given a sex offenders prevention order for 10 years, under which he must not have contact with anyone aged under 16 unless they are accompanied by an adult.

The court heard Burnell fled to Prague following the offences

The prosecution said Burnell contacted both girls through the internet.

Judge Peter Jacobs told him: “I have no doubt you logged on with the express purpose of engaging children you knew were grossly under age so that you could have sexual activity with them.”