A MAN who was wanted by the police for alleged sex offences has been remanded back into custody to be tried on May 8 next year.

Arif Choudhury, 26, of Victoria Avenue, Keighley, appeared before Bradford Crown Court today on a video link to Leeds Prison.

He is accused of offences dating back ten years and he was wanted by the police since 2013.

Peter Hampton, for the Crown, said an indictment had not been drawn up at this stage so the charges were not put to Choudhury.

Mr Hampton told the court the defendant was not extradited; he came back to the United Kingdom ‘under his own steam.’ But extradition was being sought and he was arrested on a warrant.

Ismael Uddin, defence lawyer, said that a two-week slot for the trial was ‘a good estimate.’ Judge Andrew Hatton said that because the custody time limits expired in December and the trial date at Bradford was some way off, he would make enquiries to see if another court centre could take the case sooner. His suggestions included Grimsby, Hull, Leeds and Sheffield.

He set a date of September 16 for arraignment to take place, hopefully in front of the judge who will try the case. That hearing will also ensure that everything is in order for the trial.

Judge Hatton told Choudhury he would have to remain in custody unless and until a bail application succeeded.