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Richard Burrows, one of Britain’s most wanted men, has been arrested after 27 years on the run

He tried to re-enter the UK from Thailand.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd April 2024

A man who has been on the run from police for almost three decades has been arrested as he tried to reenter the UK.

Richard Burrows has been wanted by Cheshire Police since he failed to attend a Crown Court trial way back in December 1997.

Richard was due to stand trial for two counts of buggery and 11 counts of indecent assault, all related to the historic sexual abuse of children alleged to have taken place between 1969 and 1971.

Some offences are reported to have occurred at a children’s home in Congleton, while others took place in the West Midlands.

Now 80, Richard Burrows has been arrested at Heathrow Airport having tried to return to the UK from Thailand.

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Cheshire Police and National Crime Agency (NCA) International tracked him down on Thursday 28 March, where he was remanded into police custody before appearing at Chester Crown Court today.

Huge police efforts to locate Burrows have been ongoing since his disappearance 27 years ago, including a Crimewatch appeal in 1998.

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Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson said: “Our determination to locate Burrows has not faltered over the past 27 years and his arrest marks a significant step forward in this case and the beginning of closure for all those involved.

“I would like to thank the public for the information that they have provided over the years during our search for Burrows and I hope that his arrest provides some reassurance.

“I also hope that his arrest acts as a warning to any other wanted suspects – demonstrating that no matter how long you hide, we will find you and you will be arrested.”

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Duncan Burrage, NCA International Liaison Officer in Thailand, said: “Utilising our international network and working closely with Cheshire Police colleagues, we have been able to track down a fugitive wanted in connection to extremely serious allegations.

“This arrest demonstrates law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to hunt down those who await justice in the UK.”

Anyone with any concerns or enquiries in relation to the case is urged to visit the Cheshire Police website or call 101.

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Featured image: Cheshire Police

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Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has released a statement after his Co-op Live gig was cancelled. Credit: The Manc Group

The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.

Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.

Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.

Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.

Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.

“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.

“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”

It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.

Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.

“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”

The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.

Co-op Live then said that ‘where necessary’ it would find alternate dates for its opening season schedule and then minutes later announced the postponement of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour dates in Manchester.

They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.

“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.

“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”

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Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Olivia Rodrigo has announced a Manchester gig at Co-op Live

Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.

The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.

But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.

New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.

Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.

“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.

“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”

The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

Olivia Rodrigo's gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
Credit: Nick Walker
Olivia Rodrigo's gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
Credit: Larissa Hofmann
Olivia Rodrigo’s gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.

But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.

Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.

Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.

Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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