EXCLUSIVE: British man faces extradition to RAF base on Cyprus amid historic claims he raped two gir

AN alleged paedophile could become one of less than a handful of people to be extradited to a tiny British military colony amid allegations he sexually abused two girls.

Dennis Barber, 68, from Winsford, Cheshire, is facing extradition to the British Sovereign Base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA), on Cyprus, Greece, amid allegations he raped and sexually assaulted two girls from 1977 to 1980 at an address in Philip Road at the RAF station in Akrotiri.

The girls were aged eight and ten when the abuse is alleged to have started.

There are six charges in total - two of rape concerning the older girl and one rape and three sexual assault charges in respect of the other.

The SBA (pictured above) is a British Overseas Territory, which includes British military bases and installations.

They were retained by the British under the 1960 treaty of independence, signed by the UK, Greece and Turkey.

BASE: Today SBA is used for British communications (YouTube/Google)

Today, the territory is a station for signals intelligence and provides a strategic parts of the UK communications gathering and monitoring network in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday Barber was investigated over the offences, and after complaints from a third girl, from 1988.

It concluded with him getting a letter from the CAB Attorney General promising him there would be no prosecution.

A fresh investigation was launched in 2017 when two of the original complainants were re-examined after they came forward again following publicity over historical sex offences.

Representing Barber, Ben Keith, said: "On the basis that this investigation is a new prosecution, it started this extradition request."

DENIAL: Sketch of Barber in court this week (Jon Austin)

Mr Keith said the extradition would be contested on grounds that there is not a prima facie case against Barber, who denies the allegations.

It would also be argued that the 21-year delay between the first investigation and any trial was an unreasonable time period.

He added: "Above anything, he was given an assurance in 1988 he would not be prosecuted.

"I don't think we have got the original letter, but it is clear from the evidence in the papers the CAB attorney general made a decision not to prosecute.

"Mr Barber partner is 80 and he has been her full-time carer since 1999.

"The article 8 (human rights) of the partner need to be considered in this case."

There have only been one or two previous extradition requests from SBA to the UK and a small number from the UK to the SBA.

BAIL: Deputy Chief Judge Tan Ikram (YouTube)

Deputy Chief Judge Tan Ikram said Barber would be housed in a police station on the base if he is extradited, and if subsequently found guilty at trial, it was likely he would serve his time in the UK.

He said: "They are still using the old Colonial law from the last century, so prisoners can be housed in any prison in any of the colonies.

Out there prisoners are housed in what is actually a police station with a few cells.

It is likely he would be retuned here for any prison sentence.

The case was adjourned and Barber was released on conditional bail with a curfew.