DINO CHRISTODOULOU AND ROBIN ARNOLD SENTENCED FOR ORPHANAGE ABUSE IN ALBANIA FROM BLACKBURN AND CROMER

In a disturbing case that has garnered international attention, two British men have been convicted and sentenced for heinous acts of child abuse committed while working at an orphanage in Albania. The court proceedings revealed a series of troubling allegations against the men, highlighting the severity of their crimes and the ongoing issues surrounding child protection in international aid settings.

Dino Christodoulou, aged 45 and hailing from Blackburn, Lancashire, received a prison sentence of 20 years after being found guilty of abusing children at His Children Orphanage in Albania. His conviction was handed down by judges in Tirana, who detailed the evidence presented during the trial. Christodoulou, who previously worked as a social therapy nurse at Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn, had left his position with the stated intention of helping those in need in Eastern Europe. However, his actions at the orphanage starkly contradicted this altruistic image.

Alongside him, Robin Arnold, a 56-year-old salesman from Cromer, Norfolk, was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison. Both men faced charges of engaging in sexual relations with minors, specifically four children between the years 2003 and 2005. The court heard harrowing testimony from a seven-year-old boy, who, through a videolink, tearfully recounted how both men had abused him when he was only four years old. This testimony underscored the profound impact of their crimes on the young victims.

During the trial, Christodoulou dismissed the allegations as “fantasy,” denying any wrongdoing despite the compelling evidence against him. The court's verdict not only condemns their actions but also mandates that both men be deported once they complete their respective sentences, ensuring they will not remain in Albania or return to the UK.

A spokesperson from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed the sentences, stating, “We can confirm that two Britons were jailed today for 20 years and 15 years and six months. They are being provided with consular assistance.” This statement highlights the ongoing support and monitoring provided to the convicted individuals by UK authorities.

It is important to note that this case is part of a broader pattern of abuse linked to the same orphanage. In November 2008, the orphanage’s founder, 58-year-old David Brown from Edinburgh, was also sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing children. Brown was arrested during a police raid in May 2006, which led to the subsequent closure of the orphanage. The series of convictions underscores the tragic history of exploitation at this facility and the efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims.