Operation Captura ‘unlucky’ for convicted paedophile

THE first person on a list of 13 of Britain’s most wanted men thought to be hiding in Spain has been arrested. Michael McCartney, 78, from Letchworth, is convicted of committing sexual offences against three young males on different occasions over a number of years. All the boys were under 16 when the abuse occurred. His details were publicised as one of 13 wanted individuals as part of the multi-agency campaign launched today.

He was arrested in Alicante in an apartment in the city centre after Spanish police swooped in on his home at 5.30 am. He is now in police custody awaiting extradition and is due to appear in court in Madrid where extradition proceedings will begin.

McCartney becomes the 54^th wanted individual to be arrested as part of ‘Operation Captura’ since its launch in 2006, which has so far seen 76 appeals made public, including this new list of 13 wanted faces.

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: “Once again the significance and power of Operation Captura has been demonstrated with this latest arrest so soon after this latest launch.”

Yesterday (Thursday) the latest phase of the operation, dubbed ‘unlucky 13’, was officially launched in Madrid. A list of 13 people accused and convicted of crimes ranging from murder to drugs smuggling and sex crimes was published.