Fugitive convicted of violent assault in an Exeter bar arrested in Spain

An Exeter fugitive has been arrested in Spain and returned to prison following a lengthy investigation to locate him.

Scott Kelly, 33, was convicted of a violent assault in March 2005 after stabbing a man in the back during a dispute in a bar in Exeter. He was sentenced to seven years in prison with an extended five year licence.

Kelly was released in October 2013 but he failed to abide by the conditions of his licence and fled to Spain.

The disappearance prompted a multi-agency investigation to establish his whereabouts, which saw Devon and Cornwall Police work in collaboration with Zephyr (Regional Organised Crime Unit), National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, Interpol and Spanish authorities.

Kelly was arrested in Alicante at the end of September and extradited from Madrid on 3 October. He has now been returned to prison.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "It became clear during the investigation that Kelly had an utter disregard for not only the judicial system but the conditions imposed by the probation service, and felt he was untouchable in Spain.

“The extradition of Kelly demonstrates that the Force will work with regional and international law enforcement agencies to ensure that people who feel that they are above the law will be returned to the UK to serve out their sentence.”