Shane O’Brien fled the UK after Hanson was stabbed to death in London in 2015

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Romania. Shane O’Brien, 31, is a suspect in the murder of 21-year-old Josh Hanson, who was stabbed to death in a bar in Hillingdon, west London, in 2015.

O’Brien fled the UK following Hanson’s death and last year was put on Interpol’s most wanted list, with a £50,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.

Scotland Yard said O’Brien was detained by authorities in Romania on Saturday. Extradition proceedings will begin to bring him back to the UK.

Reacting to the news on Twitter, the Josh Hanson Trust, a charity set up in the wake of his death, sent a message of thanks to the officer investigating the case, DCI Noel McHugh, followed by “Love you Josh”.

Another tweet read: “Today on the 23rd of March 2019 and after 3 and a half years of waiting today is Josh’s day.”

O’Brien is thought to have left the UK shortly after Mr Hanson was stabbed in RE Bar in Eastcote in October 15, flying on a private jet from Biggin Hill Airport in south east London, landing in Germany.

It is believed that he spent time in the Netherlands, Dubai and at least seven months in Prague, where he may have had a string of affairs with women and spent time in boxing clubs, gyms and nightclubs.

Police photos taken at the time show he had changed his appearance, having longer hair and a beard, and a new, large tattoo of an owl holding a skull that covers a large portion of his back. This was to cover up a distinctive tattoo that he had previously, which said “Shannon 15-04-06”.

Ian Cruxton, the National Crime Agency’s head of international operations, said: “O’Brien has spent several years looking over his shoulder as he has been at the centre of an extensive operation to track him down. I’m delighted that the pressure brought to bear by this has finally resulted in him being captured as a result of close working with the Romanian authorities.

“I hope his arrest offers some comfort to the family and friends of Josh Hanson.”

The Metropolitan police said Hanson’s family had been kept up to date with developments.