A man convicted of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 18 in Leatherhead, has been arrested in Ibiza on a European Arrest Warrant.

60-year-old Arik Amir was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault on a girl in 2012, fleeing the country to Israel in July the same year, just before he was sentenced to 54 months in prison.

Hilary Squire, a Detective Sergeant from Surrey Police’s High Harm Perpetrator Unit said: “Amir’s arrest abroad is a shining example of collaborative police work.

“The team has had Amir on our records since his conviction and never forgotten about him, hoping for the opportunity to bring him to justice.

“This is such a great result and it’s hugely pleasing that justice can now be served.

“I would like to commend the hard work of the individuals from Surrey Police, CPS and the NCA who worked together to secure his arrest in a very short timescale.”

In 2012, Officers attempted to extradite Mr Amir but were unsuccessful, however this year on August 20, Surrey’s Police’s High Harm Perpetrator Unit received new information.

According to sources – Mr Amir had travelled from Israel to Malaga.

Officers were also alerted to the fact that Mr Amir was meant due to leave Malaga on August 22, which prompted them to tighten the deadline for his arrest.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) managed to obtain a European arrest warrant at Guildford Crown Court on the same morning.

The National Crime Agency facilitated communications with both the Spanish authorities which led to the arrest warrant being issued as well as creating liaison opportunities with the Spanish Fugitive Team who located the convicted sex offender.

Mr Amir was arrested as he was boarding from Ibiza back to Israel – four afters after the European Arrest Warrant was granted at Guildford Crown Court.

Libby Clark, Acting Senior District Crown Prosecutor from the CPS said: “As soon as Surrey Police got in touch with us, we knew we had to act immediately as we only had the one opportunity.

“We drafted the warrant and by drawing on our contacts from other organisations, we were able to get fast tracked, so that we could seize the chance to bring Amir to justice.”