Rotherham man Wayne Williams arrested and charged after two years on the run

A Rotherham man has been arrested and charged after nearly two years on the run, after officers at the National Crime Agency (NCA) found him attending a family barbecue. Wayne Williams, aged 35, was arrested on Monday evening (May 22) having evaded the authorities since a wanted appeal was issued in November 2021.

The NCA believe Williams was involved in the attempted importation of gun parts through the postal system in August 2021. When assembled, these parts could make a semi-automatic pistol, which was stolen in the US in 2018, capable of firing 18 bullets.

NCA branch commander Richard Harrison said: “This arrest comes as a result of an intelligence-led operation which shows the NCA will continue to target and track down anyone believed to be involved in firearms trafficking.

"Tackling the criminal trade in firearms is an NCA priority, and we work with partners at home and abroad to protect the public by striving to prevent guns reaching the streets.”

Williams appeared before Sheffield Magistrates' Court today, charged with attempting to access a prohibited weapon and being knowingly concerned in an attempt to import a prohibited weapon.. He was remanded to custody until his next appearance at Sheffield Crown Court on June 22.

Officers from the National Crime Agency's Yorkshire and Humber Regional Joint Border Disruption Unit were the ones to track down and arrest Williams. He was found at an address in Rotherham, where the family barbecue was being held.

CORRECTION: The information originally released by the NCA declared Wayne Williams had been charged with three offences, including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. The NCA have since confirmed Williams was not charged with any drug offences. We have corrected the article to reflect this.