One of UK’s most wanted men believed to be hiding in Dubai

Shane O’Brien is wanted in connection with the death of Josh Hanson. Rex Features

ABU DHABI // One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives is believed to be hiding in Dubai.

British police want to question Shane O’Brien, 28, in connection with the stabbing death of 21-year-old Josh Hanson outside a bar in London last October.

O’Brien was initially believed to be in the Netherlands but police said the latest information suggests he travelled to Dubai.

“While our information links O’Brien to Dubai, we have taken calls about potential sightings across the world, which have all been followed up,” said detective chief inspector Noel McHugh of London’s Metropolitan Police.

On Thursday, police doubled their cash reward to £20,000 in return for information that could lead to O’Brien’s arrest.

A police spokesman said they were working with Dubai Police on the case, but that further information could not be released “due to operational reasons”.

O’Brien, from London, is white, 1.8 metres tall, has grey eyes and dark brown hair.

He has a tattoo on his back reading “Shannon 15-04-06” and may be going by the name Troy O’Brien.

Police said he should not be approached. Any sightings of him should be reported immediately to authorities.

In March, O’Brien was added to Britain’s most-wanted list by the UK non-profit Crimestoppers and the national crime agency.

“Clearly O’Brien is being helped by other people to evade police, some of those allegedly assisting him have already been arrested,” Mr McHugh said. “The fact [he] is moving from country to country demonstrates he has the means to travel without using his own identity.”

The victim’s mother pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.