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Josh Hanson murder: Britain's 'most wanted' man jailed for life | Josh Hanson murder: Britain's 'most wanted' man jailed for life |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A killer once dubbed one of Britain's most wanted fugitives has been jailed for at least 26 years. | A killer once dubbed one of Britain's most wanted fugitives has been jailed for at least 26 years. |
Shane O'Brien, 31, evaded police for three-and-a-half years after he slashed Josh Hanson's neck in Hillingdon, west London, on 11 October 2015. | Shane O'Brien, 31, evaded police for three-and-a-half years after he slashed Josh Hanson's neck in Hillingdon, west London, on 11 October 2015. |
He fled the UK, changed his appearance and moved around Europe before his extradition from Romania in April. | He fled the UK, changed his appearance and moved around Europe before his extradition from Romania in April. |
O'Brien, who jurors found guilty of murder last month, was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey. | O'Brien, who jurors found guilty of murder last month, was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey. |
CCTV released during the trial showed 21-year-old Mr Hanson clutching his neck and stumbling as blood poured out of a 37cm (14.5in) wound. | CCTV released during the trial showed 21-year-old Mr Hanson clutching his neck and stumbling as blood poured out of a 37cm (14.5in) wound. |
'Abrupt, vicious, violent' | 'Abrupt, vicious, violent' |
After the killing, jurors heard, O'Brien was seen "calmly" walking out of the bar. | After the killing, jurors heard, O'Brien was seen "calmly" walking out of the bar. |
He made his way to Ashford, Kent, where a contact had chartered a private four-seater plane to take him to the Netherlands. | He made his way to Ashford, Kent, where a contact had chartered a private four-seater plane to take him to the Netherlands. |
The killer grew a beard and long hair and changed his tattoos as he travelled through countries including Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic, the court was told. | The killer grew a beard and long hair and changed his tattoos as he travelled through countries including Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic, the court was told. |
In 2017, the father-of-two was arrested over a dispute in a Prague nightclub but gave police a false name and fled while on bail. | In 2017, the father-of-two was arrested over a dispute in a Prague nightclub but gave police a false name and fled while on bail. |
The trial heard the 31-year-old was added to Europol and Interpol's most wanted lists but still managed to lie low. | |
However, he was eventually caught by Romanian authorities after he contacted Scotland Yard to arrange a possible meeting, the jury heard. | However, he was eventually caught by Romanian authorities after he contacted Scotland Yard to arrange a possible meeting, the jury heard. |
Sentencing the father-of-two, Judge Nigel Lickley QC called it "a grotesque, violent and totally unnecessary attack on an innocent man". | Sentencing the father-of-two, Judge Nigel Lickley QC called it "a grotesque, violent and totally unnecessary attack on an innocent man". |
"The reason why you behaved in such a way may never be fully explained. You, however, know the reason," he said. | "The reason why you behaved in such a way may never be fully explained. You, however, know the reason," he said. |
In a victim impact statement, Mr Hanson's mother Tracey described her son as being "considerate, kind and generous". | In a victim impact statement, Mr Hanson's mother Tracey described her son as being "considerate, kind and generous". |
"He was taken from us in the most horrific way possible - suddenly, abruptly, viciously and violently," she said. | "He was taken from us in the most horrific way possible - suddenly, abruptly, viciously and violently," she said. |
The victim's sister, Brooke, said the 21-year-old "was not just my brother, he was my best friend", and described his "infectious smile" and "magical presence". | The victim's sister, Brooke, said the 21-year-old "was not just my brother, he was my best friend", and described his "infectious smile" and "magical presence". |
She told the court she had suffered from anxiety and post-traumatic stress since the killing and found herself always wondering if she could have protected him from the "evil" that took him away. | She told the court she had suffered from anxiety and post-traumatic stress since the killing and found herself always wondering if she could have protected him from the "evil" that took him away. |
During the trial, O'Brien had claimed he felt threatened by Mr Hanson's "very aggressive body language" and had only meant to scare his victim. | During the trial, O'Brien had claimed he felt threatened by Mr Hanson's "very aggressive body language" and had only meant to scare his victim. |
There were angry shouts of "coward" from the public gallery as he was led away from the dock. | There were angry shouts of "coward" from the public gallery as he was led away from the dock. |
Det Ch Insp Noel McHugh said O'Brien "thought he could evade justice with the help of his 'associates' but he was wrong". | |
"It is only now, upon sentence, that it's sinking in... that O'Brien has finally been caught and convicted and will be off the streets, away from society, for a very long time", he said. | |
How a killer was caught |