Police in Glasgow hunting 1500 suspects for crimes including murder and rape

Figures exclusively obtained by the Glasgow Times reveal there are currently a total of 1519 outstanding arrest warrants across the Greater Glasgow division. The dates when the warrants were executed could not be given, but some are believed to go back as far as the 90s.

Suspects who have managed to evade justice are wanted for all different types and levels of crimes.

The data was provided by Police Scotland following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Nine suspects are wanted for rape, meanwhile, six are wanted for murder, and one for attempted murder.

One parent is wanted for child abandonment, eight people for abduction, and 19 for sexual offences.

A total of 180 people, the most for one type of crime, are wanted for breach of the peace.

Seventeen people assaulted another person to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Other crimes include offences towards animals (2), brothel/prostitution (1), assault to injury (93), breaching a community payback order imposed by court (131) and breach of bail (55).

Meanwhile, The National Crime Agency’s “Most Wanted” list still includes three people from Glasgow or for committing serious crimes in Glasgow.

Jonathan Kelly, from Drumchapel, remains “unlawfully at large”. He was convicted at various courts for a number of offences between 2002 and 2010, including paralysing a man after stabbing him with a machete.

He received sentences in excess of 16 years but was released on licence in 2014 and failed to adhere to conditions set. He has remained on the run since and is aware that he faces a further ten years in prison.

Kelly is described as being “extremely violent and poses a high risk to both police and members of the public”.

Glasgow man Derek McGraw Ferguson is sought in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron on June 28, 2007, at the Auchinairn Tavern, Bishopbriggs.

He is missing the top of his left ear and Crimestoppers say he uses a fake Irish accent.

We reported earlier this year that a £5,000 reward was offered to catch the fugitive.

Police say he may currently be based among criminal associates in Spain.

Meanwhile, Rezgar Zengana posed as a private hire taxi driver to pick up his 25-year-old female victim on December 10, 2006, at Argyle Street.

He drove to an unknown private dwelling where he raped her.

Zengana was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow in June 2008, but failed to appear for sentencing the following month and remains at large.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Outstanding arrest warrants are reviewed and all investigative opportunities to execute them will be pursued in line with divisional priorities."