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'Most wanted' sex offender found | 'Most wanted' sex offender found |
(20 minutes later) | |
One of the UK's most wanted child sex offenders has been arrested in the Irish Republic after years on the run. | One of the UK's most wanted child sex offenders has been arrested in the Irish Republic after years on the run. |
John Murrell, 39, went on the run after failing to register with police on his release from prison in 2000. | John Murrell, 39, went on the run after failing to register with police on his release from prison in 2000. |
Murrell, who was last heard of in Droitwich, Worcestershire, disappeared after serving a jail term for indecently assaulting a child. | Murrell, who was last heard of in Droitwich, Worcestershire, disappeared after serving a jail term for indecently assaulting a child. |
The details of Murrell, who now faces extradition to the UK, were posted on a "most wanted" website. | The details of Murrell, who now faces extradition to the UK, were posted on a "most wanted" website. |
"He is currently being held in custody in Eire and it is the intention of West Mercia Constabulary to bring him back to appear before the courts in Worcester", a spokesman for the force said. | "He is currently being held in custody in Eire and it is the intention of West Mercia Constabulary to bring him back to appear before the courts in Worcester", a spokesman for the force said. |
Police were tipped off after he featured on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Most Wanted website. | Police were tipped off after he featured on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Most Wanted website. |
'False identities' | |
Officers said they received "several bits of information" that there were sightings of him. | |
Since his disappearance, police tried to find him using local newspapers and an appeal broadcast on the BBC television Crimewatch programme in 2005. | |
Murrell, who had connections with Belfast, Aberystwyth, Blackpool and Canada, was released from prison in September 2000 but failed to turn up at his probation hostel. | Murrell, who had connections with Belfast, Aberystwyth, Blackpool and Canada, was released from prison in September 2000 but failed to turn up at his probation hostel. |
Police said Murrell, who was on the run with his wife and family, may have used false identities to evade police. | |
Det Supt Martin Lakeman, of West Mercia Constabulary, said it was a "significant move" to ask the public for help in locating him. | |
"We are grateful to all those who came forward and provided information to assist the investigation team," he said. | |
The "most wanted" website dedicated to locating child sex offenders was launched last November. Nine people have been traced so far. |
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