Updated | British man, arrested in Gozo, to be charged with 38 child sex offences in UK

A British man has consented to being returned to the United Kingdom to face charges relating to dozens of offences relating to the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, after being arrested in Gozo.

70-year-old Welshman Bryan Davies was arrested by Maltese police after a European Arrest Warrant was issued for his arrest.

Davies is wanted by the police in the United Kingdom, where he will be charged with 38 offences relating to sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. They include 29 contact offences which allegedly occurred between 1976 and 1978.

The arrest was requested by the UK’s National Crime Agency, who in 2016 set up an independent investigation – Operation Pallial – to investigate allegations of past abuse in the care system in North Wales.

Davies appeared before magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, still wearing the loose checked shirt and baggy shorts he was wearing at the time of his arrest. Bald and with a white goatee, leaning on a cane in the dock, the septuagenarian gave his address as Munxar, Gozo.

Police Inspector Mario Cuschieri from the police International Relations Unit exhibited a number of documents relating to the extradition request by the UK, together with the European Arrest Warrant.

Inspector John Spiteri from the Vice Squad told the court that the police had arrested Davis at home and had informed him of his rights at law.

A number of items were taken from his home including a PC, mobile phones and other electronics.

 A number of documents which the inspector described as “relevant to the competent authorities in the UK” were also retrieved from the Munxar property.

The court, having seen the documents exhibited by the prosecution and having heard the accused confirm that he is the same person mentioned in the warrant, explained to the man what the warrant was for.

“You are being sought for prosecution in the United Kingdom for the offences of buggery, indecent assault upon a male person, making indecent images of children, causing or inciting a child to participate in sexual activity.”

Lawyer Noel Bartolo, appointed as legal aid to the accused, said that Davis “was aware but was contesting the charges.”

The magistrate explained that the court, as a court of committal, could not delve into the merits of the case, its role being to inform the requested person of the contents of the warrant and ask whether he consented to his return. Davies reaffirmed that he gave his consent to be returned to the UK to face charges there.

Davies also waived any right to appeal or institute any Constitutional proceedings over his extradition, whilst maintaining that he was “not admitting to the charges listed in the EAW in any way.”