KENNETH WRIGHT FROM HOLTON-LE-CLAY ARRESTED IN COSTA DEL SOL AFTER ESCAPING UK SEX OFFENDER SENTENCE

In August 2013, authorities in Spain successfully apprehended Kenneth Wright, an 82-year-old British pensioner, in the resort town of Calahonda on the Costa del Sol, near Fuengirola. Wright had been on the run after fleeing the United Kingdom following his conviction for serious sexual offenses involving a young girl. His arrest was made possible through the issuance of a European arrest warrant, which allowed Spanish police to track him down to a residential estate in Calahonda.

During the arrest, Wright attempted to evade capture by providing police with a false name, a tactic often employed by fugitives seeking to avoid extradition. Despite his efforts to conceal his identity, authorities managed to identify him and prepare for his extradition back to the UK. It is anticipated that Wright will be returned to Britain within a matter of days to serve an eight-year prison sentence handed down by Nottingham Crown Court.

Wright’s criminal history in the UK is extensive and deeply troubling. He was convicted in March of two counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13, as well as two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The offences against the young girl, who was just nine years old at the time, spanned a period during which Wright repeatedly engaged in abusive behavior. His trial at Nottingham Crown Court resulted in a guilty verdict on all four charges.

Following his conviction, Wright was granted bail to allow him to consult with his doctor regarding his health and how he might cope with incarceration, given his advanced age. However, just four days after being granted bail, Wright absconded from the UK, disappearing before he could be taken into custody. His absence prompted the court to proceed with sentencing in his absence, and he was subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

At the time of his trial, Wright’s location was unknown, and there was uncertainty about whether he was still alive. The judge, Mr. Justice John Saunders, expressed concern over his flight, noting that the case was adjourned to allow for a health report to be prepared, but Wright’s immediate departure from the country prevented this. The judge emphasized that Wright’s age—82—would likely make any prison sentence more challenging for him, and he warned that if Wright were to be arrested and begin serving his sentence, provisions exist for the Home Secretary to intervene should his health deteriorate significantly.

Wright’s arrest in Spain marks a significant development in this case, bringing closure to a lengthy legal process that spanned several months. Authorities in the UK and Spain continue to coordinate efforts to ensure his return and subsequent incarceration, underscoring the seriousness with which such offenses are treated and the commitment to bringing offenders to justice regardless of their attempts to evade capture.