Tattoos identify OAP gangster

POLICE in Thailand have arrested a 74-year-old fugitive Japanese gang member who was recognised when photos of his full-body tattoos were circulated online.

A police statement said Shigeharu Shirai was arrested in a province north of Bangkok where he has been hiding for more than 10 years to evade murder charges in Japan in connection with the death of a rival gang member.

His arrest apparently came after photos of him sitting around a checkers table were posted on Facebook in August last year by a Thai who was impressed by his tattoos.