Suspect held as manhunt ends in Spain (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Suspect held as manhunt ends in Spain

Hugo QuintasHAYLEY TRAGEDY: AN international manhunt led to the arrest of the prime suspect in the Hayley Richards murder case on Tuesday.

Spanish police caught up with the Trowbridge woman's ex-boyfriend, Portuguese-born Hugo Quintas, 23, in northern Spain 10 days after he went on the run.

Miss Richards, who was three months pregnant, was found dead in her Carders Corner flat on June 11. The 23-year-old's throat had been cut.

On the same day Quintas fled to Portugal out of Bristol International Airport.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon Miss Richards' brother Paul said: "Our family has been devastated at the loss of Hayley. We can't begin to express our relief that someone has been arrested in connection with her murder."

More than 50 Wiltshire police officers and staff have been working on the case in co-operation with Spanish and Portuguese authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service.

An international hotline and an Internet appeal in Spanish, Portuguese and English was launched this week as police tried to find Quintas.

Shocked Trowbridge residents have been eager to help and police have received dozens of calls that have generated hundreds of new lines of inquiry.

Mr Richards said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank Wiltshire Constabulary, Portuguese and Spanish police and all the other agencies who have assisted in bringing about the arrest of Hugo Quintas.

"We would also like to thank the people of Trowbridge for the sympathy they have expressed to the family and the support they have given to the investigation."

Officers have been scouring the town looking for a murder weapon, believed to be a knife, or any other evidence such as blood-stained clothing and have trawled through hours of CCTV footage and taken scores of statements.

Detective Superintendent Mike Veale, who is leading the inquiry, said: "Our commitment to this investigation is total.

"We are determined to bring Hayley's killer to justice as swiftly as possible."

Police are anxious for anyone who may have seen a black L-registration Rover 200 SLI in the Trowbridge area in the days leading up to Miss Richard's death.

Miss Richards was head waitress at the Red or White restaurant in Castle Street, Trowbridge and had previously worked at the Lamb pub, Argos and Terry's Nite Spot.

Tributes to the popular young woman have been pouring in from both those who knew her and those who have just felt touched by the tragedy.

Ann Hamilton, 59, of Westfield Road, Trowbridge, whose granddaughter Zoe Evans was murdered in Warminster in 1997 said: "My condolences and deepest sympathies go to Hayley's friends and family.

"I know what they are going through. I know they will want to know exactly what happened and will want some answers. It is a very hard time for them."

Anyone with information that could help police can call the incident room on 01380 735735, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or visit www.wiltshire.police.uk