A WANTED man who has been on the run for almost three decades has now been arrested.

Following work between Cheshire Police and National Crime Agency (NCA) International, Richard Burrows was arrested on Thursday, March 28, at Heathrow Airport having returned to the UK from Thailand.

The 80-year-old had been wanted by Cheshire Police since December 1997 when he failed to attend Chester Crown Court where he was due to stand trial for two sex assault charges and 11 counts of indecent assault.

The charges relate to the historic sexual abuse of children which is alleged to have occurred between 1969 and 1971.

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

Enquiries to locate Burrows have been ongoing since his disappearance, including multiple wanted appeals and even a Crimewatch appeal in 1998.

Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson said: “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."

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."

Following his arrest, Burrows has been remanded in police custody and he is set to appear at Chester Crown Court today Tuesday, April 2.

Anyone with any concerns or enquiries in relation to the case is urged to contact Cheshire Police at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/07CH23D51.