A VICIOUS fugitive wanted for knifing a man with learning difficulties in a gangland-style attack was caught by York police following a Crimewatch appeal.

Peter Hannah went on the run in January when he was due to stand trial for slashing his victim’s face with a craft knife following an incident in February last year.

He was convicted in his absence of attacking Stephen Tully by slashing both sides of his face in Woodchurch, Wirral. Jurors heard Hannah launched the attack after accusing Mr Tully, 32, of stealing £10,000 in drugs cash. He cut his victim’s face, while telling him to “take it like a man”.

Police appealed for information on the whereabouts of Hannah, 42, and released his mugshot on Tuesday night’s show and by the time the BBC programme came off air at 10pm, he was already in custody.

A police spokesman confirmed a 41-year-old man was apprehended by traffic officers in York after initially being spotted in West Yorkshire. Detective Inspector Dave McCaughrean has now thanked the public for helping catch Hannah.

He said: “I’d like to thank the viewers of Crimewatch and the readers of local newspapers.

“It is as a direct result of their assistance that Peter Hannah will now be brought to justice.

“Hannah was convicted of a vicious assault, which has had a major affect on all aspects of his victim’s life. Knowing that Hannah has now been captured and will serve his rightful sentence should offer his victim some closure.”

Hannah, known to friends as “Spanner”, will appear before a judge in due course for sentencing for a Section 18 assault.

He featured in the Wanted section of the Crimewatch programme during which his picture was shown. Following his capture, his picture was removed from the Crimewatch website and a caption read: “No longer wanted”.

A BBC spokesman said: “The BBC’s Crimewatch programme works very closely with the police and has a great track record of successful outcomes to its appeals.

“It is particularly gratifying for producers when viewer calls lead to police action being taken on the very same night the programme is transmitted.”