A CHARITY worker who is accused of sexually abusing Albanian orphans may have his extradition blocked by a top judge.

Dino Christodoulou, 44, from Blackburn, was working as a helper at the 'His Children' refuge in Tirana, where six victims aged between six and 13 were molested in 2004, it is claimed.

Robin Arnold, 55, was arrested in Cromer, Norfolk, and faces similar charges. A third man, David Brown, 56, was arrested in Albania on suspicion of involvement in the alleged sex abuse.

Brown, an evangelical Christian, lived in Edinburgh for more than 10 years before opening the orphanage around six years ago and his trial is about to start in Albania.

But Christodoulou's British lawyer has learnt that legal representation has already been selected for his client in Brown's trial, meaning that his own case is also now being heard by judges.

After a defence application today at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday, district judge Nicholas Evans delayed giving his final decision on whether the two men will be returned to Albania until March 10.

Mr Ben Cooper, Christodolou's barrister, and Rachel Scott, for Arnold, had argued that the extradition request was unjust as the Albanian authorities were already in the process of illegally trying the two men in their absence.

Miss Scott said: 'There is a sworn statement by a legal expert in Albania, who has spoken to the judge in the case over there, and she states that, contrary to what the Albanian government tell us, court proceedings are already underway and continuing at pace to try these two men in their absence.

'Lawyers have already been appointed by the court.' Clair Dobbin, for the Albanian authorities, told the court that an application would be made by the Albanian prosecutor to adjourn the trial of Christodolou and Arnold until the outcome of their extradition was known, and try Brown separately.

The Albanian prosecutor insisted that the trial of the two men had not yet started and only preliminary hearings have taken place.

But Mr Cooper argued that a summons sent to Christodolou on October 4, 2007, showed that the Albanian authorities were already moving forward towards a trial.

Former social therapy nurse Christodoulou, 44, is currently being held in Brixton prison following his arrest in Blackburn in September.

Christodoulou sold off his possessions and went to Albania in 2002.

Friends say the born-again Christian, returned to Blackburn three years ago. Supporters, including senior church figures, have rallied around him and set up the Justice for Dino' campaign.

There was no bail application and Judge Evans remanded both men in custody ahead of the next hearing on March 10.