A paedophile on the run from police for five years was finally arrested after he was found hiding behind a false wall.
Brian Ward, 62, had evaded authorities since 2013 after he fled a trial for indecently assaulting a young girl, but was found by a police officer last week during a search of a flat.
Body-cam footage worn by a Pc showed the officer pulling a bedroom mirror away from a wall to reveal Ward cowering in a room behind it.
The officer was searching a flat in Cardiff on December 6 when he heard Ward’s voice coming from somewhere in the property, and called a phone linked to the paedophile which could be heard ringing.
He was arrested at the scene and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday where he was told he had been convicted of gross indecency with a child under 16 and four counts of indecent assault on a female after fleeing his trial in Newport.
Ward, from Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was jailed for five years and 20 weeks.
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.”