Australian volunteer on police remand in sexual abuse case

Puri, Nov 18 (UNI) A local court remanded Australian volunteer Paul Allen to police custody for two days to interrogate him in the sexual abuse case of the inmates of an orphanage here.

Paul was arrested by the Puri police from Visakhapatanam following a complaint of sexual abuse, lodged by the children of the orphanage founded by Mary Ellen, and sent to police custody by the court here on November 13.

The police took him on remand yesterday after five children of the orphanage, along with the founder Mary Ellen, had testified before the Judicial Magistrate on Saturday over sexual exploitation of the children.

Sadar police station in-charge D P Das said Paul kept mum on the entire issue and claimed that he was in India to serve the poor children housed in different orphanages of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

Police said the passport of Paul, renewed since 2001, revealed his new name as Paul Hobart Rose.

Mr Das said the police had sought information from the Australian High Commissioner about his antecedents.

Meanwhile, criminal cases under section 14 of the Foreigners Act and 12 of Passport Act was initiated by the police.

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