Selby pub attacker fled to Costa Rica to evade justice

A thug, who committed two separate attacks on patrons of Selby pubs, has been returned to jail after a year on the run in Costa Rica.

Ashley Fulcher, 25, was already on parole for an earlier violent conviction when he committed two further assaults in the New Inn and Londesborough public houses, during March 2014 and April 2015.

Police issued multiple appeals for public help in catching Fulcher, believing him to be hiding somewhere in the Selby or Norfolk areas. He had in fact fled to the Central American republic of Costa Rica, a country hand picked because of difficult extradition arrangements with the UK.

He was picked up on return to Britain where he was detained by officers at Heathrow Airport.

Following a parole hearing, Fulcher was ordered to serve out the remainder of a 40-month sentence he received at Norwich Crown Court after he kicked and stamped on a man during an incident in Great Yarmouth in 2012.

Additionally, Fulcher pleaded guilty to wounding and causing actual bodily harm in relation to the assaults that too place in Selby. Guilty pleas were also entered for charges relating to absconding to Costa Rica and failure to attend court during his stay there.

A sentence of 40-months imprisonment has been handed down for these crimes.

Fulcher has a string of previous convictions on his record. These include arson, battery, racially aggravated insults and wounding with intent.