Palma/Madrid.Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is re-appealing for information on two suspected murderers from Scotland, who are believed to have fled to Spain. Working with The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Strathclyde Police, Crimestoppers is appealing to the public to help locate the wanted fugitives.
Derek McGraw Ferguson, 48, and William Paterson, 33, are wanted for two separate incidents which occurred three years apart.
Ferguson is wanted in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron who was killed at the Auchinairn Tavern on 28 June 2007 in Bishopbriggs near Glasgow. Paterson is wanted in connection with the shooting and murder of Kevin Carroll at a car park outside an Asda superstore in Robroyston in January 2010.
Scotland Crimestoppers' Chairman for Strathclyde, Alan Fraser, said: These two individuals have been wanted for some time in connection with two equally horrific and cold-blooded murders; it is time for the Spanish and British public to come forward with any information that will lead to the arrests of these two men.
Our fugitive campaigns continue to succeed in bringing more criminals, especially those accused of murder, back from overseas to face their crimes in the UK. We are confident that the response from the public following this appeal can lead to locating these two suspects. Working closely with international partners is imperative in order to keep the UK safe when criminals cross overseas. Detective Chief Superintendent, John Cuddihy, Head of Serious and Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, Strathclyde Police said: We are delighted to be working with our Spanish counterparts, SOCA Scotland, SOCA International and the Crimestoppers charity on today's operation and we are thankful for the help and co-operation we have received. These two dangerous individuals may have thought that by trying to integrate with the ex-pat community in Spain that they would be safe and out of the reach of Strathclyde Police. However, as I have said before there is no hiding place for those involved in serious and organised crime. Where ever you are we will be coming to find you. Nothing shows that clearer than the work we are doing today and will continue to do. Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, said: Our work in Spain over the years has made it a hostile environment for these very dangerous individuals to hide. We continue to work in partnership with law enforcement agencies to take action to return these fugitives to British soil to face justice. The cooperation we receive from the Spanish and ex-pat communities has played a vital role in the success of locating suspected criminals that seek to hide in Spain to evade law enforcement. Once again we appeal to anyone, both in Spain and the UK, to call Crimestoppers anonymously with any information they have regarding these two individuals. For those people calling from Spain there is a special Spanish freephone telephone number 900 555 111 which will be answered in the UK by Crimestoppers' call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.