A former police sergeant, who used to live in Accrington, appeared in court charged with 20 sexual and cruelty offences against children today.

Jeffrey Lake, 77, of Peregian Springs, Queensland, Australia appeared before Blackburn Magistrates on Wednesday, March 27.

He is charged with seven offences of indecent assault, four offences of gross indecency, two counts of rape of a girl, one count of rape of a girl, one offence of gross indecency on a boy, three offences of cruelty on a person under 16, and two other sexual offences.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in the 1960s and 1970s when he was serving in the police and living in Accrington.

The 77-year-old was arrested by police in Australia in January on suspicion of the sexual and physical abuse of children.

He was detained at an address in Peregian Springs, Queensland on behalf of Lancashire Constabulary and subsequently extradited to the UK.

Mr Lake arrived back in the UK on Tuesday, March 26 when he was charged and remanded to appear at court.

Mr Lake has been remanded in custody and will appear before Burnley Crown Court on April 10.