THE prime suspect in a violent and unprovoked murder in Eastcote is now on a world-wide Most Wanted list.

An appeal in October, to mark two years since Josh Hanson’s tragic death at the RE Bar in Field End Road, prompted a number of people to come forward with information about Shane O’Brien.

Detectives have been working hard since then to gather more information.

O’Brien, 30, fled the UK immediately after Josh’s murder and has been on the run ever since.

Last week, he was placed on Interpol's Most Wanted list, which has world-wide coverage. A £50,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to O'Brien's arrest and prosecution.

Three days after October's appeal, information was received that a man matching O’Brien’s description had been seen in central Prague. 

Police know O’Brien had been in Prague as he was arrested there in February last year for criminal damage and assault. They now believe he was in the city for at least seven months.

Another person came forward to say O’Brien may have been in Gibraltar around the same time. Information was also received that O’Brien may have been in Nice in early November.

Det Chief Insp Noel McHugh said: “Were these sightings of Shane O’Brien? We know he has been travelling extensively since Josh’s murder and has the ability to move around without using his own identity with the help of others. 

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“Based on what we know about O’Brien’s lifestyle and interests, we are looking to people in nightclubs and boxing gyms as well as ex-pats and any women he may have become involved with to come forward.

“Those who have been in close proximity to him may well have seen his distinctive and rather poor-quality cover-up tattoo of an owl holding a skull.

“Please do not assume that someone else will call in. What you perceive to be a small piece of information could in fact be the missing piece of the jigsaw that gets justice for Josh. 

“I believe we are making it more and more difficult for those supporting and helping O’Brien to remain hidden and there will come a point where they will see him as a liability and they will make that anonymous call.

“It is hugely significant that he is now included on Interpol’s world-wide Most Wanted list. It is about reducing O’Brien’s options.

 “There is a very large reward on offer for bringing O’Brien before the courts but more than that I hope people will be motivated by a need to help Josh’s family.

"Josh was an amazing young man with his whole life ahead of him and Tracey (his mother) and Brooke (sister) miss him desperately. They need to see O’Brien bought to justice.

"If you can help us please get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @JusticeforJoshHanson."

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the police incident room on 020 8785 8099.