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Police seek 'most wanted fugitive' in connection with brutal stabbing of man on night out

London’s Met Police believe that 27-year-old Shane O’Brien, wanted in connection with the murder of Josh Hanson (21), may be in hiding in the Netherlands.

Mdr80-15OBrien Shane O'Brien Met Police Met Police

POLICE IN LONDON believe that a man wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of a young man on a night out may be in hiding in the Netherlands.

A £10,000 reward (€12,900) is on offer for anyone offering information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of 27-year-old Londoner Shane O’Brien.

O’Brien has been added to the Met Police’s ‘Most Wanted’ list as part of Operation Return – a campaign to track down British fugitives believed to be in hiding in the Netherlands.

21-year-old Josh Hanson died following an unprovoked stabbing attack at the RE Bar in Eastcote, London at 1am on 11 October 2015.

Emergency services attended the bar but Josh died at the scene from a serious wound to his neck.

“We believe O’Brien could be in the Netherlands, although our enquiries continue in several other European countries at this stage,” said Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh of the Met Police.

Mdr80-15Hanson2 Josh Hanson

There is a European Arrest Warrant out for O’Brien and we hope the launch of this new Crimestoppers and NCA appeal will raise awareness and lead to his prompt arrest.

O’Brien is described as being six foot in height with grey eyes and short dark brown hair.

He has a tattoo on his back saying ‘Shannon 15-04-06′ and may use the name Troy O’Brien.

With the search now focused on the Netherlands, O’Brien has featured on that country’s version of Crimewatch as the investigation picks up pace.

Josh Hanson’s mother, with whom he lived, has worked tirelessly on a social media campaign seeking justice for her son’s murder since his death.

“It seems to get harder every day. It’s hard to completely grieve when you’re busy trying to get justice,” she told Getwestlondon in January.

My days are now spent with around eight to 10 hours on social media, it’s a lot of work. I’ve had people reach out to me, who’ve gone through very similar experiences and that’s just heart-wrenching.

Read: Police searching for family of Irish man (76) who died alone in Swansea

Read: Legendary Beatles producer George Martin dies, aged 90

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Cianan Brennan
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