A CHARITY worker has pleaded his innocence from his jail cell in letters to friends after being accused of sexually abusing orphans in Albania.

But as the second day of the trial against Dino Christodoulou, 45, took place he said he is going to find it “difficult to prove” his innocence.

Christodoulou, an aid worker from Blackburn, is facing charges that he abused eight boys in an Albanian orphanage he worked at in the country’s capital Tirana in 2004.

He is charged alongside two other men, David Brown, 57, and Robin Arnold, 56.

All face 20 years in prison if convicted.

In letters from his prison cell to supporters in Blackburn Christodoulou said: “There is difficulty in actually proving I am innocent. There is some hope because the prosecutor has to prove that I am guilty and I know that he cannot because I am not guilty.”

He also talks about the delays in the trial which sees just one day’s court proceedings take place every two weeks.

Christodoulou writes: “The waiting now is really most excruciating. Please God a breakthrough - a miracle!”

He also wrote about spending his birthday in September in prison, calling the experience “very difficult” and “miserable”.

It is expected that the trial could not finish until next year. Eight alleged victims are set to take to the witness box in the trial, which is being held in a closed court, and 13 witnesses will be called.

Christodoulou’s friend Damian Wild, of Whitby Drive, Blackburn, has spoken to his pal regularly since he was extradited from this country last year.

Mr Wild said: “We think the hearing is going well so far. There have been three so-called victims heard so far and each one has changed their story and admitted that Dino did not abuse them.

“We are hopeful but there is a long way to go yet.”

Christodoulou was arrested last October after allegations made by orphans aged between six and 13.

The next court date is on Tuesday.