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Paedophile found hiding behind false wall in flat after five years on run from police

A fugitive paedophile who spent five years on the run was eventually found hiding behind a false wall in his flat, police said.

Brian Ward had managed to evade police since 2013, when he was found guilty in his absence of gross indecency with a child under 16, and four counts of indecent assault on a female, at Cardiff Crown Court.

The 62-year-old was eventually discovered by a police officer in a Cardiff flat on 6 December.

After hearing voices inside a flat that was linked to Ward, the officer called a phone number that had also been linked to him while outside the flat.

When he heard it ring inside, the officer entered the property and after searching behind a bedroom mirror spotted Ward hiding behind a false wall.

Ward, from Pontyclun, was arrested at the scene and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where his sentence of five years and 20 weeks was read out to him.

Having absconded midway through his trial and been found guilty in his absence, he had yet to hear his punishment.

Speaking after Ward was jailed, Superintendent Ceri Hughes said: “We’ve been looking for Brian Ward for some time. He evaded us for far longer than we would have liked, but he is now in custody where he belongs. He didn’t want to face justice for what he had done and was clearly angry that he’d been caught.

“He tried absolutely everything to avoid capture, showing no remorse for his appalling actions years ago. Our search for suspects only ends when they are in custody, no matter how long it takes.

“I really hope the news that he is now in prison will enable his victim to have some closure on what has had such a negative impact on their life.”