Wanted fugitive from Britain found in Spanish villa's panic room

One of Britain’s most-wanted fugitives has been arrested while hiding in the panic room of a villa in southern Spain.

Police said Mark Allan Lilley was found in a house in Alhaurin de la Torre after they found a false panel in a wardrobe that led to the panic room from where he could monitor security cameras. He gave himself up without a fight.

Lilley, from Warrington, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court in April 2000 to 23 years for conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and for possession of a firearm. He skipped bail during the trial and was convicted in his absence.

Police said he had changed his appearance and was living under a false identity, and had become a martial arts expert.