A judge has questioned why the Home Office has failed to apply for the extradition of a Jewish man who fled to Israel to avoid being tried for sex offences against children. At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Manchester Crown Court was told that UK authorities had not applied for the extradition of 48-year-old Todros Grynhaus, from Salford. Mr Grynhaus’s lawyer, Gary Lesin-Davis, said they were reluctant because of the possible cost.

Judge Martin Rudland said Mr Grynhaus was “stretching the British justice system’s concept of fairness” by his refusal to return to the UK. “I do not understand why extradition proceedings are on hold pending this man’s appeal against Israel’s refusal to grant him citizenship,” the judge added.

The trial of Mr Grynhaus, who denies multiple counts of sexual offences against three children, is expected to take place in November.