Most Wanted: Fugitive Scot Found Hiding in Bangkok

Published : August 23, 2010 :: 10:08:01 [ 4,172 views ]

Wanted in both England and Scotland on a rape charge and over his part in a financial scam, fugitive Scottish national George Hoolahan has been on the run for more than 10-years. Despite being one of Britain’s “most wanted” men Hoolahan has successfully evaded capture by the authorities, that is until he was found holed-up in Bangkok following an investigation by the UK media recently.

Bangkok, the 22^nd of August 2010: George Bernard Murray Hoolahan [61], going under the names George Bernard or George Murray to avoid detection, is wanted in connection with the rape of two teenage girls in the seaside resort of Whitley Bay in the north of England. Scottish authorities also want him for his part in an alleged financial scam and theft of over £70,000 from former employers Fuel Negotiators.

Hoolahan skipped a court appearance in 1999 over the rape charges, which he claims “have been dealt with,” before it is thought that he fled to Thailand where he has remained, posing as a property developer and refurbishment contractor on high-end condominium projects, for over a decade.

Despite the attention of authorities from the United Kingdom, appearing on the North’s Most Wanted fugitives list and television appeals such as Crimewatch, Hoolahan, using different variations of his full name, has managed to avoid capture. However investigations by the UK media namely the Sunday Sun, tracked him down and setup a meeting with him by posing as prospective clients in his Thai business dealings before springing their trap.

When asked if he was wanted by police over double rape allegations Hoolahan simply replied, “Aye. But that’s all cleared up now. It was only a date rape kind of thing.” Stunned about the media investigation he stated, “I’ve been found by the Sunday Mail. I think that I’ll be coming back now. If the cops said I was to jump on a plane, I would say aye. I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Going on to claim that the rape allegation being held against him were false, stating that the two victims were hapless drug addicted teens, who picked him up after a night on the town. He revealed that they faced eviction from the homeless shelter if found on drugs and so blamed him for the situation.

“I’ve lost my whole life because of this. I miss Scotland. I miss my family. I don’t know if my sisters or brothers are even alive. You can find anyone in the world If you hadn’t found me, the police probably wouldn’t have bothered their a**e,” Hoolahan stated.

Following the successful detection and identification of Hoolahan, the media have since passed on their dossier of information to the authorities in the United Kingdom and Thailand, who are now said to be working closely with Interpol over the case.

Northumbria Police said: “We received a report from a member of the press suggesting that this individual was in Thailand. We are working with Interpol in relation to this report.”

Until recently, Hoolahan rented a flat in Bangkok on Soi Cowboy but left owing rent. He is known to frequent several red-light district haunts in the area and spend a large portion of his time in the seaside resort of Cha-am.