A £50,000 REWARD is being offered in an attempt to find one of the UK’s most wanted fugitives, suspected of a murder at a London nightclub.
Josh Hanson (21) died at the RE Bar in Eastcote, northwest London, on 11 October 2015, following an unprovoked attack.
Shane O’Brien (29) fled abroad after Hanson’s murder and is now known to have changed his appearance, according to Met Police.
He heads the UK National Crime Agency’s most wanted list.
In February this year, O’Brien was arrested in Prague for criminal damage and assault. He used the Italian alias of Enzo Mellonceli, supported by false documentation, and was released on bail pending further enquiries.
An image taken upon his arrest shows that he has grown his hair and has a full beard and a distinctive new tattoo of an owl holding a skull, which covers up his previous “Shannon 15-04-06″ tattoo.
Marking the second anniversary of the murder, Met Police are offering a £50,000 reward for information leading to O’Brien’s arrest and prosecution.
Detective chief inspector Noel McHugh, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said that it is clear O’Brien is being helped by others to evade police and has the ability to move around without using his own identity.
“This is why we decided to offer such a large reward,” McHugh said.
If you have been debating whether to make that call, just listen to the pain in the voices of Josh’s mum Tracey and his sister Brooke. Your silence is denying justice to Josh’s family.
“I have the greatest respect for Josh’s family who have acted with such dignity and patience during what can only be described as a living nightmare,” he said.
Emotional appeal
In a new appeal today, Hanson’s mother Tracy said: “These past 24 months have been a living nightmare, a nightmare that I would not wish on anyone.
I nurtured my son from the moment I saw him, held his hand while he took his first steps, handed him his school bag on his first day of school and watched him grow into a bright, capable, funny and loving young man who worked hard and provided for his family.
“Please can you help us, Josh leaves behind a sister and a family who miss and love him very much. Take a moment to look around you and if you think you may have seen O’Brien please call the police.”
Anyone with information about O’Brien or his whereabouts can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org or the police incident room on 020 8785 8099.
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