Wanted man who taunted police on Instagram from Dubai jailed after being extradited back to UK
Adam Ali regularly posted 'images of himself in clubs and driving sports cars', police say
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A man who taunted police in Instagram posts from Dubai has been jailed after he was extradited back to the UK.
Adam Ali, 30, had been arrested and charged at his house in Epping in relation to allegations of dangerous driving, and officers discovered ammunition at his house.
He fled to Dubai on the first day of his trial after being bailed to return to court at a later date.
Ali was found guilty in his absence and sentenced to three years in prison for possession of ammunition and dangerous driving.
In Dubai, he ”taunted police through his Instagram feed”, the Metropolitan Police said. He also “appeared to lead a very lavish and luxurious lifestyle” and regularly posted “images of himself in clubs and driving sports cars”.
Police were later alerted Ali had made a trip to the US through information published on his Instagram account.
An investigation found he had made the trip under an alias, Adam Khalifa.
Ali was identified returning to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and arrested at the airport on 20 November, 2018.
Met Police officers travelled to Dubai on 13 January this year and Ali was extradited back to the UK on 16 January.
He appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday and received an additional 10 months concurrent sentence for fleeing whilst on bail and failing to surrender.
Detective Sergeant Andy Swindells of the Westminster Crime Squad, said: “It is satisfying to know that Ali is now where he belongs and will rightly serve time in prison for his crimes.
“A lot of time and police work has gone into securing this result and I would like to thank the NCA and our international colleagues who were integral to this success.
“We will do everything in our power to bring to justice those who attempt to evade us.”
The operation was conducted through a joint colalboration between Dubai Police, Dubai Public Prosecutors, Interpol, the National Crime Agency and the Met Police.
Ian Cruxton, head of International Operations at the NCA, said: “Ali fled justice to live a lavish lifestyle somewhere he thought his crimes wouldn’t catch up with him.
“Our international partners – especially the Dubai Police and prosecutors – were crucial in helping to catch and return him."