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| Most wanted Costa suspects named | Most wanted Costa suspects named |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Britain's 10 most wanted criminal suspects thought to be on the run in Spain are being targeted in a new appeal on the Costa del Sol. | Britain's 10 most wanted criminal suspects thought to be on the run in Spain are being targeted in a new appeal on the Costa del Sol. |
| The men are wanted in connection with drug, robbery and child sex offences. | The men are wanted in connection with drug, robbery and child sex offences. |
| Crimestoppers say they could be hiding in the Malaga area, known as the "Costa del Crime" because so many criminals and crime suspects have fled there. | Crimestoppers say they could be hiding in the Malaga area, known as the "Costa del Crime" because so many criminals and crime suspects have fled there. |
| "These appeals include some very nasty individuals and crimes," Crimestoppers operations director Dave Cording said. | "These appeals include some very nasty individuals and crimes," Crimestoppers operations director Dave Cording said. |
| Two of the 10 men are on the run after being convicted of their crimes, while the rest are accused of various offences. | Two of the 10 men are on the run after being convicted of their crimes, while the rest are accused of various offences. |
| Mr Cording said: "We need you, the public, to help us put [the men] behind bars where they belong." | Mr Cording said: "We need you, the public, to help us put [the men] behind bars where they belong." |
| About a million Britons live in Malaga's large expatriate community, making it easier for the wanted men to blend in. | About a million Britons live in Malaga's large expatriate community, making it easier for the wanted men to blend in. |
| Images of the 10 suspects have been put on the Crimestoppers website, and posters and beer mats are being given out at bars and restaurants on the Costa del Sol. | Images of the 10 suspects have been put on the Crimestoppers website, and posters and beer mats are being given out at bars and restaurants on the Costa del Sol. |
| Operation Captura involves Crimestoppers, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Spanish police. | Operation Captura involves Crimestoppers, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Spanish police. |
| The "Costa 10" named by Crimestoppers are: | |
| • Martin Smith - wanted in connection with the rape of a child under 16, attempted rape of a girl under 16, indecent assault of a girl under 16 and gross indecency with a girl under 16 | • Martin Smith - wanted in connection with the rape of a child under 16, attempted rape of a girl under 16, indecent assault of a girl under 16 and gross indecency with a girl under 16 |
| • Jody Flynn - accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm | • Jody Flynn - accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm |
| • Stephen Burnell - failed to surrender to custody for attempted rape, seven offences of indecent assault, one offence of indecency with a child and two offences of taking an indecent photograph of a child, for which he faced a total of six years in prison | • Stephen Burnell - failed to surrender to custody for attempted rape, seven offences of indecent assault, one offence of indecency with a child and two offences of taking an indecent photograph of a child, for which he faced a total of six years in prison |
| • Benjamin Murphy - wanted in connection with the robbery of £1.6m of goods from a jeweller's and fraudulently obtaining a passport | • Benjamin Murphy - wanted in connection with the robbery of £1.6m of goods from a jeweller's and fraudulently obtaining a passport |
| • Paul Walmsley - accused of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and was being investigated in connection with a group sentenced to a total of 133 years in jail for drug smuggling | • Paul Walmsley - accused of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and was being investigated in connection with a group sentenced to a total of 133 years in jail for drug smuggling |
| • Fatah Benlaredj - accused of raping a seven-year-old girl | • Fatah Benlaredj - accused of raping a seven-year-old girl |
| • Mark Brown - police believe he is head of a group that has smuggled hundreds of kilos of heroin into the UK | • Mark Brown - police believe he is head of a group that has smuggled hundreds of kilos of heroin into the UK |
| • Joseph Morley - disappeared while on licensed day release during 15-year prison sentence for smuggling heroin and cocaine | • Joseph Morley - disappeared while on licensed day release during 15-year prison sentence for smuggling heroin and cocaine |
| • Stephen Pitman - accused of conspiracy to supply a class A drug, for which he faces a life sentence if convicted | • Stephen Pitman - accused of conspiracy to supply a class A drug, for which he faces a life sentence if convicted |
| • Michael Eddleston - accused of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs | • Michael Eddleston - accused of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs |
| Since Operation Captura began in October 2006, a series of appeals have resulted in the arrest of 23 out of 40 suspects. Many are now serving long prison sentences. | Since Operation Captura began in October 2006, a series of appeals have resulted in the arrest of 23 out of 40 suspects. Many are now serving long prison sentences. |
| Crimestoppers founder Lord Ashcroft said: "The public response to the campaign so far has gone way beyond our expectations in locating criminals." | Crimestoppers founder Lord Ashcroft said: "The public response to the campaign so far has gone way beyond our expectations in locating criminals." |