Spain hunts 13 most wanted Brits

A list of 13 wanted Brits believed to be hiding in Spain has been released.

The suspects have been accused of a variety of crime, including attempted murder, drug smuggling and child abuse.

Spanish authorities, working in conjunction with British ones, are keen to underscore the message that Spain is not a safe haven.

The list was published as part of Operation Captura, a scheme to trace criminals who are thought to be in Spain.

Since its launch in 2006, Captura has nabbed 53 out of 63 highlighted in various joint appeals as well as a number of other criminals in other operations.

Full details were revealed by the charity Crimestoppers, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spanish police in Madrid this morning.

Included is paedophile Michael McCartney, 78, from Letchworth, Hertfordshire, who was convicted of abusing three boys, grooming them by buying them expensive gifts before committing sex crimes.

He was found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault in March 2013, but failed to attend court the following month for sentencing.

Another is Robert Mortby, 26, from London, who is suspected of attempted murder over an attack on a man outside a pub in Elephant and Castle, south London. The victim was hit over the head with a bottle and then shot three times.

Brian Thexton , 37, from Durham is accused of being involved in robberies where a gang would tie up homeowners and force them to give up alarm codes and safe combinations.

In one the gang impersonated police officers to dupe the victims into opening the door, before brandishing a pick axe handle and a baseball bat.

You must be a registered user to make comments.
Please register here to post your comments.