Criminal sightings prove to be bogus

REPORTS that a notorious criminal may be in hiding in North Africa were the latest in a growing number of hoax or false sightings, gardaí yesterday said.

Detectives have checked out numerous “sightings” of “Westies” leader Shane Coates and his partner, Stephen Sugg, in recent weeks.

The violent pair were allegedly abducted near their apartment in the Alicante area of Spain last January.