ONE of Britain’s most wanted fugitives who was on the run for nearly 30 years has finally been caught.
Richard Burrows, 80, who has been wanted by Cheshire Police since 1997 following alleged “horrific child sex crimes” was arrested at Heathrow Airport.
He was returning to the UK from Thailand.
In the late 1990s, Burrows failed to turn up for a trial at Chester Crown Court.
He had been charged with two counts of buggery and 11 counts of indecent assault.
The charges related to historic cases of child abuse which are alleged to have happened between 1969 and 1971, according to Cheshire Police.
Some of the cases are said to have occurred in a children’s home in Congleton, while others are alleged to have happened in the West Midlands.
Burrows has been on the run since then.
Enquiries have been carried out over the years and Burrows was listed as being among national crime charity Crimestoppers’ most wanted people in the UK.
Burrows was detained last Thursday at Heathrow Airport and he is due to appear at Chester Crown Court later today.
The arrest was made following a joint operation between Cheshire Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson said the arrest showed to criminals that “no matter how long you hide, we will find you”.
She 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.
“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.”
