Paedophile described as ‘Wales’ most wanted man’ caught after five years on the run


A paedophile dubbed ‘Wales’ most wanted man’ who spent more than five years on the run has been caught hiding behind a false wall in a flat.

Brian Ward, who was described as one of the UK’s most wanted men by Crimestoppers, was arrested in Cardiff Bay on Thursday, December 6.
He fled during his trial at Newport Crown Court in November 2013, which went on to find him guilty in his absence of gross indecency with a child under 16 and four counts of indecent assault on a female.

The 62-year-old from Pontyclun, also had links to Aberdare, Newport, London and Malta.

He has been known to use alias surnames such as Wood, Cordina, Bryant, and Rose.

He was discovered after an officer making inquiries at a flat which was being linked to Ward.

While outside the address the officer called a phone that was being linked to him and he heard the ringtone inside the flat. He went inside and, after searching behind a bedroom mirror, the officer spotted Ward cowering behind a false wall.

He was arrested at the scene and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where his sentence of five years and 20 weeks was read out before him.

Superintendent Ceri Hughes said: “We’ve been looking for Brian Ward for some time. He evaded us for far longer than we would have liked but he is now in custody where he belongs.

“He didn’t want to face justice for what he had done and was clearly angry that he’d been caught. He tried absolutely everything to avoid capture, showing no remorse for his appalling actions years ago.

“Our search for suspects only ends when they are in custody, no matter how long it takes.

“I really hope the news that he is now in prison will enable his victim to have some closure on what has had such a negative impact on their life.”