One of UK's 'most wanted' men who has been on the run for 27 years has finally been arrested.
Richard John Ramsey Burrows is said to be one of the UK's 'most wanted' fugitives ever since he failed to turn up for trial at Chester Crown Court in December 1997.
Cheshire Police say the 80-year-old was charged with two counts of sexual assault and 11 counts of indecent assault, related to the alleged abuse of children.
His charges were based on alleged incidents which happened between 1969 and 1981.
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Crimewatch launched a search appeal for Burrows in 1998 and this has been ongoing since his disappearance.
This eventually lead to his capture on Thursday (28 March) as he was stopped and arrested at Heathrow Airport on a return flight from Thailand.
He has now remanded in police custody and appeared at Chester Crown Court on 2 April.
A Cheshire Polices spokesperson said following his court appearance: "Richard Burrows appeared at Chester Crown Court earlier today, Tuesday 2 April, where he was remanded in custody
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"The 80-year-old is next set to appear at Chester on Friday 21 June."
Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson, Cheshire Constabulary, said: “Our determination to locate Burrows has not faltered over the past 27 years and his arrest marks a significant step forward in this case and the beginning of closure for all those involved.
"I would like to thank the public for the information that they have provided over the years during our search for Burrows and I hope that his arrest provides some reassurance.
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"I also hope that his arrest acts as a warning to any other wanted suspects – demonstrating that no matter how long you hide, we will find you and you will be arrested.”
Duncan Burrage, NCA International Liaison Officer in Thailand, said: “Utilising our international network and working closely with Cheshire Police colleagues, we have been able to track down a fugitive wanted in connection to extremely serious allegations.
"This arrest demonstrates law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to hunt down those who await justice in the UK.”
Last year, another one of the UK’s most wanted men was found in Malaga, Spain after spending seven years on the run.
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Mark Francis Roberts was wanted by Merseyside Police for alleged grievous bodily harm and the attempted robbery of a man’s £60,000 Richard Mille watch.
Roberts was found on 10 May 2023 in Estepona, Malaga, following a joint operation involving the National Crime Agency, Guardia Civil and Merseyside Police.
Roberts' last known UK address was in Fairfield, Liverpool, but he was discovered in Spain during surveillance and was identified and arrested by Guardia Civil officers.
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Steve Reynolds, NCA regional manager in Spain, said: “Roberts’s arrest came about after a sustained campaign to trace him and some great work by the Guardia Civil.
“This is another excellent result and shows once again that UK law enforcement does not give up on finding those who await justice in the UK.
“Working closely with our colleagues at home and abroad, such as our highly valued Spanish partners, we will continue to hunt those on the run.”
Featured Image Credit: Police Handout/Daniel Liel/Getty