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British murder suspect makes 'world's most wanted' list

Shane O’Brien is wanted for murder (PA)
Shane O’Brien is wanted for murder (PA)

A dangerous fugitive who has been on the run for more than two years has been placed on Interpol’s ‘most wanted’ list.

Shane O’Brien, 30, is alleged to have killed 21-year-old Josh Hanson in an unprovoked knife attack in a bar in Hillingdon, west London, in 2015.

Mr Hanson, from Kingsbury, north-west London, was stabbed in the neck at the RE Bar in the early hours of October 11 2015 and died from his injuries at the scene.

There is now a £50,000 reward available for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.

A reward of up to £50,000 is available for information leading to O’Brien’s arrest (PA)
A reward of up to £50,000 is available for information leading to O’Brien’s arrest (PA)

The Metropolitan Police say O’Brien was flown out of the UK on a privately chartered plane from Biggin Hill Airport.

He is thought to have fled to the Netherlands and United Arab Emirates after the attack, before returning to Europe.

He was arrested in Prague for criminal damage and assault in February last year under the Italian alias Enzo Mellonceli and released on bail.

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Mr Hanson’s mother Tracey and sister Brooke said: “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.

“Someone somewhere also knows where O’Brien is and can change the pain and uncertainty that each day brings for us.”

Police say he has been travelling “extensively” and there were reported sightings in Gibraltar, Nice in France and Prague following an appeal for information in October last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: “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 expats and any women he may have become involved with to come forward.”

He added: “Everyone wants to give Josh’s mum Tracey and his sister Brooke the news they so desperately need to hear. As the months go by, the lack of justice only adds to their heartbreak.

“Josh was an amazing young man with his whole life ahead of him and Tracey and Brooke miss him desperately. They need to see O’Brien brought to justice.”

O’Brien, originally from Ladbroke Grove, is described as white, 6ft tall with grey eyes, dark brown hair, a full beard and a tattoo on his back of an owl holding a skull, covering up a previous one of ‘Shannon 15-04-06’.

Police say he is dangerous and should not be approached but that anyone with information should call 999.