A convicted Latvian paedophile may escape extradition from Britain after a judge heard it could breach his human rights.
Kaspars Botters, 39, abused a girl under the age of 16 on five occasions from 2009 to 2014 in his home country.
He came to the UK but was arrested in Nottingham after a conviction warrant was issued by Latvian authorities.
Now his lawyers have raised concerns over his safety in prison if sent back to the Baltic country.
The paedophile will not be extradited until a judge receives assurances that his human rights will not be breached.
Shyan MacTavish, defending, said there was a ‘high risk’ that Botters would be subjected to ‘intimidation’ and ‘extortion’ by other prisoners if he is sent to a Latvian prison.
She added: ‘Mr Botters faces potential violence by fellow prisoners in Latvia. It is an issue that permeates throughout the prison system there.
‘Latvia has a prison hierarchy which seems to be deeply embedded in every aspect of prison life.
‘Latvia has also been using the practice of informal prison leaders.
‘Every inmate in Latvia must belong to one of three castes. Mr Botters will be placed in the lowest caste. There would be a lack of protection for him.
‘Latvian authorities seem to be facilitating this system by encouraging prisoners to be placed in castes.
‘This court gave the Latvian authorities the opportunity to address that, but only a generic response was given.’
She said extraditing Botters could lead to a breach of his Article 3 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the ‘right to be free from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’
Jonathan Swain, for the Latvian authorities, said the government in the Baltic country, have set out how they will protect Mr Botters, with video surveillance in prisons, radio checks and supervision.
‘The evidence suggests that some years ago there was limited threats made to Mr Botters. There is no evidence of any threats made against him since then.
‘If there is sufficient evidence that there is a threat to Mr Botters, he would be moved to solitary confinement.’
District Judge John Zani said Botters has an ‘unsavoury past’.
He added: ‘There is a lot of information I need to go through. I need time to absorb and consider the law.’
He adjourned making a final decision until July 29.
