AN ESSEX teen on the run for six months after fatally shooting a man at a petrol station could be in Ibiza, say officers in the eastern UK county.
Bradley Blundell, who was 17 at the time, killed 34-year-old electrician John Pordage with a single shot wound to the chest at a BP garage on Baddo Road in Chelmsford at around 02.00 on August 5, sending shock-waves through a city where this time of night would normally see the streets filled with revellers walking to and from clubs.
Blundell's alleged accomplice, aged 16, who cannot be named as he is a minor, was acquitted yesterday (Friday) in court and the older man was considered to be the material author of the shooting.
The killer had already pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and perverting the course of justice.
A third man, Saul Stanley, 18, was found to be involved but was cleared of murder, although he was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and possession of firearms.
Reports after Blundell, now 18, went on the run confirmed he had flown out of an Essex airfield, and police believe he has 'a safe base' in Ibiza and 'a good support network', which may make finding him difficult.
But Essex police are working with national and regional authorities in Spain and intend to launch a major appeal across the Balearic Islands.
They say posters with the killer's face on it will be 'spread all over Ibiza' and that members of the force would be travelling out to the Spanish party island in the next few days.
A European arrest warrant, which makes capture and extradition easier across continental borders, has been issued at the request of the county's force.
In a rare move, Essex police announced that they will match Crimestoppers' reward to the tune of £5,000 (€5,642) for any information leading to Blundell's capture, meaning the total pot will come to £10,000 (€11,285).
A spokesman for the force said this was justified, since the local community was extremely alarmed at the thought of gun-carrying murderers at petrol stations and on the streets 'at a time when people are out enjoying themselves'.
Crimestoppers and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) have enjoyed huge success since they first launched their ground-breaking 'Operation Capture' scheme in Spain, aimed at seeking help from British expats and holidaymakers in locating dangerous criminals on the run.
Since its launch in 2007, between 80% and 90% of fugitives have been arrested and extradited to the UK.
Essex police have urged Blundell to 'give himself up' and 'face the music', since avoiding justice will 'make things far worse' for him and have assured him that he 'will be caught', however safe he may feel.
A MAN declared dead at his home in the province of Tarragona was on his way to the funeral parlour when he turned out to be alive, according to police sources.
A NEW child protection law named after a British musician living in Spain has been approved in Congress and is set to be signed off by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, June 8.
