'Red tape' frustrates Welsh police

Police in Wales say their efforts to locate and arrest a Welsh paedophile who fled to Ireland have been frustrated by "bureaucratic red tape" in the Republic.

Despite having provided a lengthy book of evidence on the man to the authorities here over a year ago, permission has only just been granted to allow the Garda to execute Welsh arrest warrants here.

Roger Gardener (59) fled Wales in May 2001 just before he was due to stand trial for conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, perverting the course of justice and fraud. The charges relate to an arson attack on Gardener's home at Blackwood, south Wales. Welsh police believe he and two accomplices were responsible for the fire.

In August 2000, Gardener was convicted on two counts of indecently assaulting two girls. Just before he was due to be sentenced, a fire broke out at his home. During sentencing, the trial judge took the fire into account, which Gardener claimed was a revenge attack, and he was jailed for just 18 months.

Det Sgt Dave Ransome of Gwent Police said Gardener's two alleged accomplices were serving prison sentences for the fire and they had both implicated Gardener.

Welsh police had to make representations to the Irish authorities to allow the Garda to arrest Gardener on foot of Welsh warrants. That process began almost 18 months ago.

"It has been very frustrating to say the least," Det Sgt Ransome said. "We are just told that that length of time is the usual practice in Ireland. We believe when Gardener fled to Ireland he went there because it was one of the only places he could travel without a passport. But in reality he fled to one of the safest places he could, we haven't been able to touch him.

"Every case is examined individually in Ireland and we have had to convince the Irish authorities that Gardener has a very strong case to answer. We certainly believe we have a very strong case."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice said legislation has been in place since 1965 allowing for the extradition of suspects from Ireland to Britain. A request is made to the Garda, it is then forward to the Attorney General's Office before a final decision is made by the Minister for Justice.

The spokeswoman said she could not comment on an individual case. However, due process had to be adhered to and extradition requests were not "rubber-stamped".

The Welsh police will now seek warrants in a Welsh court and will pass these on to the Garda. They expect to have the warrants in place in the next fortnight, at which point they intend to visit Ireland to try and locate Gardener. They are appealing for anybody with information as to his whereabouts in Ireland to contact police in Wales or the Garda.

Gwent police believe he is travelling around Ireland using a camper van or caravan.

They think he is most likely to be found around caravan sites and fairgrounds. There have been sightings of him in Ireland, all unconfirmed. He is also believed to have visited Wales a number of times in recent months to see family and friends.