A EUROPEAN arrest warrant has been issued for a pensioner wanted for alleged sex offences against children in York.

North Yorkshire Police and the CPS gave district judge Adrian Lower details of the application which could lead to Dennis Batty, 70, being sent back to the UK.

He is believed to be living in Alicante, Spain.

The warrant claims that Batty committed five crimes against four children and young people nearly 40 years ago.

He is alleged to have indecently assaulted a male aged at least 16 on at least two occasions. Batty is also accused of committing an act of gross indecency towards a boy aged under 14.

The police also claim he indecently assaulted two girls aged under 14.

All the offences are alleged to have been committed in York.

District judge Adrian Lower agreed to the application at York Magistrates Court and issued the warrant.

It authorises the Spanish authorities to arrest Batty, if he is in Spain, and send him to the UK.