One of Europe’s most wanted fugitives who has been on the run for 16 years has been arrested in Malta over the brutal murder of a father.

Christopher Guest More Jr, 41, has been detained on a European arrest warrant over the murder of Brian Waters, 44, who was tortured and beaten to death in front of his two adult children at a Cheshire farm.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said he was arrested in the Swieqi area, north Malta, on Thursday night, in a joint operation with the Maltese authorities.

Detectives have been searching for More since he left the country shortly after the murder of Mr Waters, who was killed at Burnt House Farm in Tabley, near Knutsford, on June 19, 2003.

The victim was whipped, burned, attacked with a staple gun, hung upside down, beaten and sexually assaulted with an iron bar, in a three-hour ordeal during which he sustained 123 injuries, a Chester Crown Court trial in 2004 heard.

Mr Waters was tied to a chair and battered in front of his son Gavin, who was also attacked, and daughter Natalie, who had just turned 21 and was held at gunpoint and forced to watch.

In April this year, More was added to Europe’s most wanted list, in connection with Mr Waters’ death, the attempted murder of a second man, and the false imprisonment and assault of other victims at the scene.

More, who a court heard described himself an undercover journalist, had links to Spain, Malta and South America.

Graham Roberts, NCA regional manager, said: ‘We are utterly delighted that after almost 16 years on the run, hiding from law enforcement, Christopher Guest More Jr has been arrested and will now have to return to the UK.

‘More Jr featured on the very successful Operation Captura fugitives hunt and, out of 96 fugitives, there are now just 12 evading justice.

‘The NCA has supported Cheshire Constabulary with their investigation, using some of our specialist capabilities and our international network of officers, in his pursuit.

‘We have waited a long, long time for this moment. We were never going to give up in the hunt. Other fugitives should really look at this and remember how tenacious UK law enforcement is.’

Extradition proceedings were started against More on Saturday when he appeared in court in the Maltese capital, Valetta.

He has been remanded in custody until his next hearing on Monday.

More, is alleged to have been with the men when they stormed the derelict property, where Mr Waters was running a cannabis farm, in a row over a drugs debt.

Former undercover BBC researcher James Raven, 60, Otis Matthews, 41, and John Wilson, 69, are serving life sentences after being convicted of Mr Waters’ murder.

More’s cousin Raven worked on programmes including the BBC’s MacIntyre Undercover and Crooked Britain, as well as Channel 4’s Sleepers, infiltrating gangs involved in car crime, drugs and counterfeiting.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Burton, from Cheshire Constabulary, said: ‘Our determination to find Christopher Guest More Jr has not faltered and, over the years, we have remained committed to locating him.

‘This latest development highlights the close working relationship between Cheshire Constabulary and the NCA, along with law enforcement agencies abroad, and I would like to thank colleagues for all of their assistance.

‘I would also like to thank members of the public for all of their support and information provided on the back of our appeals.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.

Got a story for Metro.co.uk?

If you have a story for our news team, email us at [email protected].

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: Read Full Article