Police find fugitive after seeing his framed 'Wanted' mugshot over fireplace at friend's home

A man was caught red-handed hiding a fugitive in his home – with a framed 'wanted' photo of the runaway on the mantelpiece. Jordan Sim-much, 26, was harbouring his friwnd in a kitchen cupboard in Stockport when police raided the house after a tip-off, a court heard.

Both men were collared – and Sim-much was left with no excuse when officers spotted a news clipping in an ornate picture frame above the fireplace. The clipping revealed how his pal, 20, had gone on the run from cops after breaching his prison release licence. Scrap metal worker Sim-much was forced to admit helping the fugitive and the pair were hauled into court.



Sim-much pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was given a community order with a two-month night-time curfew. Barrie Darby, prosecuting, told the court police officers had searched the flat and found the fugitive hiding in a kitchen cupboard. The runaway, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent back to prison and has since completed his sentence.

Pc Mike Lawler, of Greater Manchester Police, said after the case: "The fact that a framed picture of his friend's mugshot proclaiming him a wanted man was staring down at Sim-mutch from atop of his fireplace means he knew full well he was harbouring a fugitive. This 'friend' left Sim-mutch with absolutely no realistic defence for his actions, and I suspect he is ruing the day he ever granted him sanctuary from the police. Setting to one side the sheer stupidity of their actions, what this case shows is just how seriously police in Stockport treat those who harbour offenders and assist them in trying to evade the law."