Fugitive returned following arrest in Cambodia

Interagency working across the globe has resulted in a West Country fugitive being arrested in Cambodia and returned to prison. Andrew Wallace, 39, from Bridgwater, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in May 2010 following an investigation into human trafficking.

He was released from Channings Wood prison in Newton Abbot in December 2010 but breached his license and flew to Thailand.

Wallace was recalled to prison on 7th January 2011 when Devon and Cornwall Police worked with the Probation Service, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Thai authorities, and he was deported. However, he failed to make his connecting flight at Mumbai and went to Cambodia.

The partner agencies teamed up with Interpol and the Cambodian authorities who found the fugitive and subsequently detained him at an immigration centre.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “The Far East can not been seen as a safe haven for those who try to run and hide from justice.

“We have tried and tested procedures in place and work with other agencies in many parts of the world to bring wanted people back to justice in the UK.

“This was a difficult enquiry but tireless work by the agencies involved has resulted in Andrew Wallace being returned to prison where justice will be done.”