ONE of Britain's most wanted paedophiles has this evening arrived back in the UK.

Stephen Burnell was brought back from Crete by officers from North Yorkshire Police's Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit.

He was arrested as part of Crimestopper's Operation Captura almost two weeks ago on the holiday island.

The 55-year-old, who lived in the South Bank area of York and was originally from Scunthorpe, went on the run in the spring of 2007, days before he was due to appear before York Crown Court.

However the trial went ahead in his absence and he was convicted of a series of offences against a nineyear-old girl, including attempted rape, making pornographic images and eight sex attacks.

Burnell is due to appear at York Crown Court tomorrow.