Officers call on fugitive to surrender

North Yorkshire Police have arrested five women and three men in connection with the search for Robert Henry Foster, 22.

Foster is wanted on suspicion of assaulting his 43-year-old father-in-law, who needed emergency surgery after being attacked at Seamer caravan site, in Stokesley, at about 5pm last Friday.

Detective Chief Inspector Kerrin Smith, who is leading the investigation, yesterday appealed to Foster to hand himself in.

“There will be no let up by the police,” she said, “until Robert Foster is arrested in connection with a very serious assault which left his father-in-law requiring emergency surgery.

“The investigation has intensified with the arrest of eight people who we suspect are withholding information regarding Robert Foster’s whereabouts. They have all been questioned at length and released on bail as we continue the search. We will leave no stone unturned and will follow every line of enquiry to secure the arrest.

“Robert, it is time to do the right thing and hand yourself in to the police before we close in on you.

“By hiding away, you are only making things harder on yourself and others in the long run.”

Five of the arrested suspects are from West Yorkshire – three women aged 18, 32 and 62, and two men aged 38 and 68.

The other three – a 56-year-old man and two women aged 47 and 49 – were arrested in Middlesbrough.

Two men, aged 20 and 30, both from Middlesbrough, have been charged with wounding with intent. They appeared at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court on Monday and were remanded in custody to attend Teesside Crown Court tomorrow.

Anyone with information about Foster’s whereabouts should call the police on 0845 606 0247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.