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​British Murder Suspect Added To World's Most Wanted List

​British Murder Suspect Added To World's Most Wanted List

Scotland Yard has added him to an international most wanted list, with a £50,000 reward being offered up for information

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A British man has been added to the list of the world's most wanted people, having fled the UK after the murder of Josh Hanson in 2015.

Shane O'Brien, 30, stabbed Hanson to death in an unprovoked attack in a bar in Hillingdon, West London.

Scotland Yard has added him to an international most wanted list, with a £50,000 ($66,827) reward being offered up for information that could lead to his arrest.

Detectives have said that a man matching O'Brien's description - which includes a very 'distinctive and rather poor quality' tattoo - has been spotted on several occasions in Prague.

O'Brien with short hair.
Met Police

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: "We now know he has been travelling extensively since Josh's murder and has the ability to move around without using his own identity with the help of others.

"Based on what we know about O'Brien's lifestyle and interests, we are looking to people in nightclubs and boxing gyms as well as ex-pats and any women he may have become involved with to come forward.

"Those who have been in close proximity to him may well have seen his distinctive and rather poor quality cover-up tattoo of a owl holding a skull. As always, any calls we receive with information will be dealt with in the upmost confidence.

"Please do not assume that someone else will call in; what you perceive to be a small piece of information could in fact be the missing piece of the jigsaw that gets justice for Josh.

"After more than two-and-a-half years, some may feel that will we never catch O'Brien. But with the work that has and continues to be done, I believe we are making it more and more difficult for those supporting and helping O'Brien to remain hidden and there will come a point where they will see him as a liability and they will make that anonymous call.

"It is hugely significant that he is now included on Interpol's world-wide Most Wanted list, it is about reducing O'Brien's options."

Josh's mum, Tracey, and sister, Brooke, are asking people to work together so that they can get justice for Josh - referring to his death as a pain that 'no words alone can describe'.

They said in a statement: "We have lived for two years and seven months without Josh but we still have hope that we will get justice for him. Imagine if together, we could get justice for Josh.

"Well I believe we can, I believe that by sharing the wanted poster, home and away, justice will be ours in a matter of time. Brooke and I count down the days, hours and minutes hoping and praying that we receive a call to tell us that Shane O'Brien has been arrested, so that we can grieve and mourn Josh in peace.

"Our lives will never be the same without Josh and I would not wish our living nightmare on anyone, it is a pain that no words alone can describe.

Josh Hanson.
Met Police

"Now with O'Brien on Interpol's Most Wanted list we encourage people from all over the world to get in touch for a copy of the Metropolitan Police Wanted Poster, which currently has a £50,000 reward on offer for information leading to his arrest and prosecution."

DCI McHugh added: "I would urge the public to remain vigilant wherever they are in the world. I am going to ask that we all save the poster to our phones and share it as widely as possible, especially when out of the UK or with colleagues, family or friends abroad.

"If you think you see O'Brien, please make that call immediately - I can't emphasis enough how important it is for us to move quickly. The best number to call is the National Crime Agency's public line on 0370 496 7622, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

"As well as contacting the NCA, please also inform local police so they can act immediately - show them the poster saved on your phone.

"Of course, in an emergency always call 999 - O'Brien is dangerous and should not be approached. A substantial reward of £50,000 remains on offer for information leading to his arrest and prosecution."

Featured Image Credit: Met Police

Topics: World News, UK News, News, crime