Tuesday 2 October 2007
You can run but you can’t hide
‘Most Wanted’ offender back in police custody
A registered sex offender who had been missing for over SEVEN years is now back within police custody after being identified from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre’s ‘Most Wanted’ website.
John Richard Murrell, aged 39, was tracked down in the Republic of Ireland and arrested on Friday 28 September by police officers in the Garda Siochana – assisting officers from West Mercia Constabulary.
West Mercia Constabulary decided, in January 2007, to publish Murrell’s photograph and details on the groundbreaking website - www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted - after he failed to comply with his notification requirements. The force is now seeking to bring him back to the UK to appear before the courts in Worcester.
Murrell learned the hard way that failing to comply with notification requirements is not an option
said Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.
This result is a credit to everyone who reported sightings and came forward with information.
Offenders who believe they can evade punishment by travelling abroad underestimate our determination to bring them to justice. Alongside our partners, we will take every step within our power to track them down.” “We are delighted with the success of the Most Wanted website so far. By working alongside Crimestoppers, local police forces and most importantly the public, we have managed to locate nine offenders in eleven months.
Members of the public continue to adopt an incredibly supportive and responsible approach to this initiative. No one has taken action themselves, instead reporting information directly to the police, or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Detective Superintendent Martin Lakeman, head of West Mercia Public Protection Unit, said:
It was a significant move for the force to ask the public for help in locating him and we are grateful to all those who came forward and provided information to assist the investigation team.
We will continue to use the CEOP Most Wanted website and other opportunities, on a case by case, basis to locate individuals and ensure they are managed effectively by the criminal justice agencies in order to keep the public safe.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre continues to appeal for information about outstanding offenders Joshua Karney and Peter Wheatherley. They are sought for failing to comply with notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Weatherley is missing from the South Yorkshire area but is known to have links in the north of England. Intelligence also indicates that he could be in Spain, or elsewhere in Europe.
Karney has connections in the Lancashire area but is known to travel throughout the United Kingdom.
Further information and photographs can been found at www.ceop.gov.uk/wanted
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre joined forces with independent charity Crimestoppers to develop Most Wanted. It was launched last November as the UK’s first national website dedicated to locating child sex offenders who have failed to comply with notification requirements.
Members of the public can safely help locate ‘missing’ offenders by viewing photos and descriptions via the CEOP and Crimestoppers websites. If they recognise someone they are urged to contact the local police force, or if they wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Members of the public can receive automatic updates on new individuals posted on the Most Wanted website by going to: www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ceop/MailingList.asp?rootid=-1
This initiative forms a key element of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre’s approach to tracking and bringing offenders to account. All individuals published on the site have previously been convicted for an offence for which they have already served punishment within the criminal justice system. They are sought because they have subsequently failed to fulfil their requirements as part of their placement on the Sex Offenders Register. This is an arrestable offence, with a punishment of up to five years imprisonment.
Details of previous offences will not be disclosed to the media for the reasons stated above.
Photographs of offenders will only be published with the consent of the local police force. Individual forces are under no obligation to publish their offenders on the Most Wanted site. Further offenders will be considered for inclusion on the ‘Most Wanted’ site in consultation with local police forces.
The decision to publish the details of all offenders detailed on the site has been risk assessed by the CEOP Centre and relevant local forces.
The CEOP Centre works in both online and offline environments to protect children from sexual exploitation. Full information on all areas of work as well as online safety messages and access to online reporting can be found at www.ceop.gov.uk.
The organisation is affiliated to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and powers are derived from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It is based in Pimlico, London with developing outreach channels to all areas of both domestic and international policing as well as industry and specialist support and educational faculties.
For further information please contact the Communications Team at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre on 0870 000 3434.