Man wanted over death of landlord in Wales consents to extradition

A 40-year-old Welsh man who is wanted in the UK in connection with the death of his landlord has consented to his extradition to Wales, the High Court has heard.

Lawyers for the State told Mr Justice Anthony Barr on Wednesday that David Ellis was wanted for questioning by Welsh police in relation to the murder of 59-year-old retired telecoms engineer Alec Warburton in South Wales.

Det Sgt Sean Fallon told the court he had arrested Mr Ellis, from Sketty, Swansea on foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Public Prosecution Service in the UK.

The court heard Mr Ellis's voluntary surrender may be postponed because of proceedings pending against him in Ireland in relation to an alleged offence involving "domestic matters."

UK police have been trying to find Mr Ellis since Mr Warburton disappeared at the end of July last.

Mr Ellis lived as a lodger with Mr Warburton in Sketty.

Mr Warburton was last seen on July 31st and was reported missing two days later. South Wales police had said the landlord’s Peugeot 205 had been spotted in North Wales before it had returned to Swansea.

The car had been found abandoned at Birkenhead port days later and the UK police said Mr Ellis had stepped off a ferry in Belfast on August 6th.

Mr Ellis was arrested in Ireland on September 18th.

Counsel for Mr Ellis told the court his client had earlier had the benefit of talks with his solicitor and counsel, who had outlined the basis of the application to him, and he had stated he was happy to consent to the court making an order for his extradition.

When Mr Ellis appeared before the High Court, Mr Justice Barr said he was satisfied he was the same person as that named in the European Arrest Warrant. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned the matter to an extradition hearing in the Courts of Criminal Justice next week.