'Most Wanted' fugitive turns himself in

[19th July 2007]

A Manchester man featured on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre's Most Wanted website has handed himself into a police station in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

He was immediately arrested, and has since been charged with failing to register a change of address and failing to inform police he was leaving the country.

44-year old David Parr disappeared in October 2004 after failing to comply with his notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register.

Parr is the eighth offender to be located after being featured on the website, launched last November. He is also the second offender to have handed himself following his appearance on the Most Wanted website.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre joined forces with independent charity Crimestoppers to develop Most Wanted. It was launched last November as the UK's first national website dedicated to locating convicted offenders who have failed to comply with notification requirements.

Jim Gamble, CEO of the CEOP centre said: "I am delighted that exposure on the Most Wanted website has yet again persuaded an offender that he cannot evade his requirement to register. I urge members of the public to check the site to see if they can assist forces in locating the remaining offenders. By working together we can continue to monitor offenders and protect our communities from harm."

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre continues to appeal for information about outstanding offenders: Andrew Eden, John Murrell, Joshua Karney, Peter Wheatherley. They are sought for failing to comply with notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

To read the full press release visit http://www.ceop.gov.uk