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Most wanted Costa suspects named Raid suspect 'given new passport'
(about 2 hours 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. A man arrested over a £1.6m jewellery raid was able to flee the UK after he successfully applied for a new passport, officials have admitted.
Police took Benjamin Murphy's passport but he was able to get a replacement.
The Identity and Passport Service said: "In this instance we were not made aware of the bail conditions."
The case came to light as Britain's 10 most wanted criminal suspects thought to be on the run in Spain were 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.
He added: "We need you, the public, to help us put [the men] behind bars where they belong."
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.
One man, Benjamin Murphy, was arrested over a robbery in which a gang stole £1.6m of jewellery. Police confiscated his passport but he was able to apply and get a replacement, saying he he had lost the original, and fled the country. 'Costa 10'
Mr Cording said: "We need you, the public, to help us put [the men] behind bars where they belong." Mr Murphy, 29, was arrested over a robbery in which a gang stole jewellery worth £1.6m.
Police confiscated his passport but he was able to apply and get a replacement under his real name, saying he he had lost the original.
He then fled the country.
A spokesman for the IPS added: "Where we have been notified of an individual's bail conditions, we will always consider them before making a judgement about whether or not to issue a passport."
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: As well as Mr Murphy, the "Costa 10" named by Crimestoppers are:
• Martin Smith, 44 - 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, 44 - 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, 28 - accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm• Jody Flynn, 28 - accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm
• Stephen Burnell, 56 - 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, 56 - 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, 29 - wanted in connection with the robbery of £1.6m of goods from a jeweller's and fraudulently obtaining a passport
• Paul Walmsley, 40 - 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, 40 - 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, 32 - accused of raping a seven-year-old girl• Fatah Benlaredj, 32 - accused of raping a seven-year-old girl
• Mark Brown, 44 - police believe he is head of a group that has smuggled hundreds of kilos of heroin into the UK• Mark Brown, 44 - police believe he is head of a group that has smuggled hundreds of kilos of heroin into the UK
• Joseph Morley, 46 - disappeared while on licensed day release during 15-year prison sentence for smuggling heroin and cocaine• Joseph Morley, 46 - disappeared while on licensed day release during 15-year prison sentence for smuggling heroin and cocaine
• Stephen Pitman, 53 - accused of conspiracy to supply a class A drug, for which he faces a life sentence if convicted• Stephen Pitman, 53 - accused of conspiracy to supply a class A drug, for which he faces a life sentence if convicted
• Michael Eddleston, 27 - accused of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs• Michael Eddleston, 27 - 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."