Murder suspect thought to have fled to Dubai

Man wanted for questioning believed to have gone abroad

Police believe a murder suspect, who was last seen shopping in Ashford, has fled to Dubai.

Shane O’Brien, 28, is thought to be using a false identity and police believe he is being helped.

O’Brien is wanted in connection with the brutal killing of 21-year-old Josh Hanson a year ago.

Mr Hanson died after an unprovoked knife attack at a bar in Hillingdon, west London.

Police issued an appeal to find O’Brien, of Ladbroke Grove, west London, shortly after the incident, but he disappeared and was last seen shopping at the Ashford Designer Outlet.

Officers believe O’Brien travelled to the Netherlands after Mr Hanson’s death but now think he is in Dubai.

A £20,000 reward is on offer for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.

No one was arrested on the night but investigating officers have said they need to “urgently The Ashford Designer Outlet was one of the last known sightings of a man wanted in connection with the death of Josh Hanson, left speak” to O’Brien, who is described as a white man, 6ft, with grey eyes and short, darkbrown hair. He may use the name Troy O’Brien.

Mr Hanson’s mother, Tracey, and his sister, Brooke, have been campaigning against knife crime, fighting for justice and appealing for information.

In an emotional plea on the Justice For Josh Hanson Facebook page, Tracey wrote: “Josh’s young life was snatched from him in the most horrific of ways and every second, minute and hour of every day that has passed since then has been filled with heartache and pain.

“I am angry because we grieve without justice, but I pray that justice comes soon for my beautiful boy.”

Tracey and her family have urged anyone with information to contact the police.

Of f i c e r s h a v e wa r n e d that O’Brien should not be approached by members of the public and any sightings of him should be reported to police immediately on 999.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Met Police incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Met Police Det Ch Insp Noel McHugh said: “O’Brien was quickly named as someone we urgently needed to trace and we have tracked his movements across Europe and then to Dubai, where we believe he still is.

“Clearly he is being helped by others to evade police and has the ability to move around without using his own identity, but we have a substantial reward available for anyone who can provide information that brings him before the courts.

“If you know anything - even if you think your information is small and insignificant - please come forward.

“Josh’s family have been so strong but they need to see the person who killed him brought to justice. As time goes on they are finding the situation desperately difficult and we really need the public’s help to find O’Brien.”