Wanted man gives himself up to Gibraltar police

ROBERT MORTBY, 28, from London who was on the UK National Crime Agency most wanted list, surrendered to police on September 2 in Gibraltar and appeared in court three days later where he agreed to be extradited to the UK.

He had been living in Mijas but travelled to Gibraltar in order to surrender himself in a British territory.

According to the NCA, he had been the target of a joint investigation being undertaken under the title of Operation Captura whereby the British have been working with Spanish police to review the whereabouts of criminals in Spain.

Mr Mortby was being sought in connection with an attempted murder where he is alleged to have shot another person outside the Rose and Crown pub in London in July 2012. Additional charges are likely to include possession of a firearm and a prohibited weapon.

The NCA’s Dave Allen said: “Following increased interest in the Operation Captura fugitives campaign of late, Mortby realised his time was up and the best option was to hand himself in.

“The last five weeks have seen three of our most wanted fugitives arrested. I have no doubt that these successes will highlight to the remaining 15 individuals that we will not stop until they are all brought to justice.”

Lord Ashcroft, the founder of Crimestoppers, a charity that has worked with the police on this and similar matters said “This is the third Operation Captura arrest this summer and highlights the pressure wanted fugitives are under because of the collaborative work that goes into the campaign.”

The Gibraltar court has indicated that Mr Mortby is expected to be returned to the UK within the next few days.