Charles Riddington wanted over fatal stabbing of 24-year-old man is arrested in northern Cyprus

Charles Riddington (pictured) who is wanted in connection with the murder of George Barker in Bexley, south east London

A murder suspect wanted over the killing of a kickboxer whose partner had recently given birth to their baby daughter has been arrested in Cyprus.

Charles Riddington is wanted in connection with the murder of George Barker nearly two years ago. 

The watch salesman was fatally stabbed at the Double K Gym in Bexley, south east London on November 14, 2016. 

The same gym was used by Idris Elba as he trained for a fighting documentary. 

Riddington was detained and arrested in northern Cyprus in relation to ‘local matters’ and police are awaiting the outcome of that investigation. 

Scotland Yard detectives offered a £10,000 reward in January in a bid to track Riddington, who was said to use 14 aliases, amid a BBC Crimewatch appeal.     

Mr Baker, who is from South Darenth in Kent, died aged 24 just five days after his partner gave birth to their baby daughter.

George Barker, 24, (centre) died after a group of six men ambushed him at Double K Gym in Bexley, south east London, where actor Idris Elba had trained for a new fighting documentary

George Barker, 24, (centre) died after a group of six men ambushed him at Double K Gym in Bexley, south east London, where actor Idris Elba had trained for a new fighting documentary

Responding to the arrest, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘The Metropolitan Police is aware that Charles Riddington has been arrested and detained in Cyprus.

‘Our understanding is that he has been arrested for local matters and that an investigation is ongoing.

‘We await the outcome of that investigation.

‘The Metropolitan Police is continuing with its investigation into the murder of George Barker and continue to work tirelessly to bring the offender to justice by all lawful and legitimate means.’

Officers know that Riddington left the UK from Manchester Airport for Dusseldorf travelling under his alias, but they did not know his whereabouts. 

According to Turkish media reports, Riddington’s appearance has changed since police released his image in the murder appeal, with blonde, longer curly hair.

Riders at a nearby stables heard Mr Barker's cry for help on the day of the stabbing. Metropolitan police immediately launched a murder investigation. 

Riders at a nearby stables heard Mr Barker’s cry for help on the day of the stabbing. Metropolitan police immediately launched a murder investigation. 

Police taped off the crime scene soon after the stabbing on November 14, 2016. Ever since the killing Mr Barker's mother Julie has appealed for anyone with information to come forward  

Police taped off the crime scene soon after the stabbing on November 14, 2016. Ever since the killing Mr Barker’s mother Julie has appealed for anyone with information to come forward  

Reports also suggest his arrest, by Turkish authorities, is related to his use of fake identity documents.

The gym where Mr Barker was knifed is owned by Kieran Keddle, a former Thai boxing champion who trained Elba for his professional kickboxing debut.

Detectives said the ‘full of life’ father was ambushed by six men at about 9.40am on November 14, before the gang fled.

Riders at a nearby stables heard the 24-year-old scream for help as he lay dying.  

Lynn Purves, who runs nearby Slade Stables, where children were saddling up for a morning ride on Monday morning, said her daughter heard him scream for help after being attacked.

Mr Barker had been at Double K Gym in Bexley, south east London when he was fatally stabbed. Charles Riddington is currently wanted in connection with the murder

Mr Barker had been at Double K Gym in Bexley, south east London when he was fatally stabbed. Charles Riddington is currently wanted in connection with the murder

The 60-year-old said: ‘My daughter was outside in the field behind the gym where we take the horses in the morning.

‘She was walking them through the field as she usually does when she heard a man desperately scream out for help.

 ‘I was down the alley only a couple of minutes before it all happened, it’s really frightening to think it happened on our doorstep like that.

‘I have had this yard for 23 years and it’s such a lovely area, I can’t believe something like this could happen here.’

As well as the £10,000 reward, Crimewatch featured an appeal to track Riddington.

Speaking when police offered the reward, his mother, Julie Barker, said: ‘We can’t understand why this would happen. He was a cheeky boy and very lovable with lots of friends.

‘He loved the gym, he was always there and was very fit.

‘He has never been in trouble. He went to the gym and never came back.

‘There were six of them. I just want information. There were no masks, it’s all we’ve got.

‘They all set on him, his friend was with him. That’s what his friend said.’  

How fugitives of British justice can no longer use northern Cyprus to dodge punishment for their crimes

For years dozens of fugitives would use northern Cyprus as a place to hide from British authorities and escape punishment. 

That all changed on February 3, 2017 when a landmark ruling by High Court judges allowed British police to work with law-enforcement agencies on the island to bring justice to any hiding fugitives.

The ruling meant co-operation between UK and Turkish police would not be forbidden by any clause of domestic law.

The High Court judges had been dealing with the case of Hasan Akarcay, a 60-year-old businessman who had fled to northern Cyprus in 2006 after the discovery of 12.5kg of heroin in Bradford. 

He is wanted in connection with the supply of Class A drugs.

 

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