An 80-year-old man who was wanted by police for almost 30 years over alleged sexual abuse of children has been arrested at Heathrow Airport.
Richard Burrows was returning to the UK from Thailand when he was taken in by police last Thursday.
He has been wanted since December 1997, when he failed to attend Chester Crown Court to face trial for two counts of buggery and 11 counts of indecent assault.
The charges related to alleged offences between 1969 and 1971 at a children’s home in Congleton, Cheshire, and in the West Midlands.
Burrows, reportedly a former scoutmaster, is due to appear at the same court later today.
Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson of Cheshire Police 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.’
In 2011, the force released an age-progressed picture of Burrows based on his police mugshot aged 54.
The technology is most commonly used for cases of missing children, but the fugitive had not been seen for 11 years – and would not be seen again for another 13.
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