- EDITIONS:
Spanish News Today
Alicante Today
Andalucia Today
PROPERTY SEARCH
Most wanted UK fugitive arrested in Estepona over horror Liverpool stabbing
Police in Malaga province finally collared Mark Francis Roberts after seven years on the run
A violent Brit wanted by UK police over a horrific armed street robbery in which the victim was stabbed for his 70,000-euro watch has been arrested in Estepona.
Mark Francis Roberts, 29 - one of Britain's Most Wanted - had been on the run for almost seven years following the attack in Liverpool, but Malaga police finally caught up with him on Wednesday May 10.
The violent assault occurred on September 30, 2016, when the victim was attacked by two men with a blade at around 1.30am after he parked his car on his home driveway. He sustained life-threatening injuries when he refused to hand over the expensive Richard Mille watch and was admitted to ICU with stab wounds, several lacerations and a collapsed lung.
Roberts is the eighth fugitive to be arrested in Spain, having featured in a Most Wanted campaign run by the National Crime Agency (NCA), Crimestoppers and Spanish police. Six men remain at large.Steve Reynolds, NCA regional manager in Spain, praised the Guardia Civil's efforts in locating and arresting Roberts, and said: “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.”
Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Katie Coote of Merseyside Police warned "there is no hiding place for anyone who is evading police".
“Thanks to our ongoing work with National Crime Agency, Roberts has been located and is now in police custody. These actions with our partners across the UK and beyond are about stopping anyone who could cause fear and harm in our community and we will leave no stone unturned no matter the length of time to find people who are wanted in connection with ongoing investigations or offences.”
Lord Ashcroft, founder and chair of Crimestoppers, said: “I am delighted that another fugitive has finally been caught and will no longer be able to avoid justice. Our Most Wanted campaign with the NCA, supported by the excellent work of Spanish law enforcement, has been an incredible success.
“Should you know the whereabouts of any other Most Wanted fugitives, please contact the charity Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111 or fill out an online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. You’ll stay 100 per cent anonymous. Always.”
Roberts, whose last known address was Freehold Street, Fairfield, Liverpool, remains in custody awaiting extradition proceedings.
Image: National Crime Agency
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
