A SOCIAL worker from the North-East could be jailed for ten years in the US if found guilty of two counts of child sex abuse.

Prosecutors are building a case against Dwight E McGuire, from Darlington, County Durham, who is expected to plead not guilty at his first court appearance next week.

Mr McGuire, a US citizen who has spent the last four years living and working in Darlington, was last night being held in Greene County Jail, Ohio, where he has been put on $7,500 cash bail.

The 19-stone, father of two was arrested last week when he flew into Minneapolis St Paul Airport to visit his terminally- ill father.

A background check by customs officers revealed a pending warrant, and Mr McGuire was detained. His father has since died.

The arrest was made in connection with two alleged incidents dating back to 1988, when Mr McGuire was living with a family while he studied at the Christian university in Cedarville, Ohio.

Greene County prosecuting attorney Stephen Haller told The Northern Echo last night: “There were two girls in the family, aged four and six years-old.

“The allegation is that he inappropriately touched the six-year-old on two occasions during the time he was staying with them.”

Mr Haller praised the complainant, a woman now in her mid-20s, for coming forward after nearly 20 years. She reported the incident in August 2007.

He said: “We asked her why now? And she said she had to bring closure to this incident for herself as she had been struggling with it over the years.”

Mr Haller said the charges, of gross imposition, carry a maximum each of five years, although some form of community sentence is also a possibility.

Mr McGuire has been suspended from his role at Darlington Borough Council, where he worked looking after children in care.

The authority is carrying out an investigation into the matter, but last night said it had unearthed no evidence of wrongdoing.

However, it has asked people to come forward if they have any information they believe relevant.

The number to call is 01325-346-867.