'Extremely dangerous' fugitive wanted in Scotland to face sex crime charges is arrested in Spain

The Moroccan national, wanted over a rape and two attempted sex assaults, was held at his barber’s shop in Spain.

An ‘extremely dangerous’ 6ft 5in fugitive wanted over a UK rape and two attempted sex assaults has been arrested in Spain.

The Moroccan national was held yesterday morning at his barber’s shop in the university city of Salamanca a two-hour drive west of Madrid. Police invited a Spanish TV crew to film the moment armed officers pounced on the wanted man as he opened up his shop around a year after going AWOL.

He is now facing extradition to Scotland where he is understood to have committed his alleged crimes and is said to have been warned he faces a life sentence if convicted. The suspect, who has not been named, protested his innocence as the TV reporter exchanged a few words with him while he sat handcuffed in a police van after his arrest before his transfer to a court in Madrid.

The reporter began his broadcast on national channel Telecinco’s popular programme 'Vamos a Ver' by saying: “It’s 6.24am and we’ve arranged to meet up with National Police in Madrid. They’ve located a fugitive wanted by the UK for two attempted sex assaults and a rape. They are seeking a life sentence. He’s a man who could be very dangerous. We’re going to Salamanca with officers to try to catch him.”

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A police officer from an elite Spanish National Police group dedicating to tracking down fugitives was subsequently filmed putting his gun into his holster in a locker room and picking up a walkie-talkie and a pair of handcuffs. The arrest took place after a briefing in Salamanca with local officers who assisted in the operation. A police rapid response unit was placed on standby in case things didn’t go according to plan but in the end it was not needed.

Officers were filmed running up to the suspect as he arrived to open up his shop before identifying themselves and ordering him to hand over his keys and mobile because he was being arrested.

One added: “We’ve got an international arrest warrant to detain you issued by the United Kingdom” as he was handcuffed before pointing to the police van nearby and saying: “Let’s get inside so people don’t start gawping.”

The unnamed suspect, whose face was pixellated in the TV report, insisted as the reporter questioned him about his alleged sex crimes: “That’s not true, where is the proof? I’ve never had a problem. This is about girls looking for money, you understand.”

It was unclear today whether he intends opposing extradition. He is believed to have been remanded in custody while his fate is decided following a hearing behind closed doors at Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional court which deals with extradition proceedings.

Spanish police have yet to make any official statement on the detention. Earlier this year the Civil Guard released footage of their force’s anti-fugitives unit pouncing on Tinder rapist suspect James Clacher.

The 55-year-old Scots gym boss was hanging upside down on a rope as he honed his muscles during a punishing strength training routine when he was jumped on by two plain-clothes officers posing as tourists on a beach in Nerja east of Malaga. He was extradited to the UK in June.

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