A FATHER who police hunted for four years after an allegation of attempted murder was finally arrested in America. Julio Martins-Paes, 45, suspected of stabbing his partner in a car on the A13 in Dagenham, was extradited to the UK last Thursday, February

A FATHER who police hunted for four years after an allegation of attempted murder was finally arrested in America.

Julio Martins-Paes, 45, suspected of stabbing his partner in a car on the A13 in Dagenham, was extradited to the UK last Thursday, February 4.

He was arrested just outside Seattle, Washington, on December 12 last year after drunkenly crashing his car into a state trooper's vehicle.

Background checks by US officers revealed Martins-Paes was wanted in the UK in connection with the attempted murder of his wife on February 1 2006.

Detective Constable Nathan Lee has been relentlessly trying to trace Martins-Paes, who managed to flee the country, for four years.

DC Lee took the defendant into custody at Heathrow airport on Thursday, February 4 following his extradition.

"This case has been a fine example of international policing agencies pulling together to keep world-wide communities safe," said DC Lee.

Martins-Paes appeared at Barking Magistrates' Court on Friday, February 5 charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (GBH) and false imprisonment.

He entered no plea and the case was committed to the Old Bailey for trial on April 12.

Magistrates remanded him in custody at Pentonville Prison.