Wanted Iraqi arrested

An Iraqi Kurd wanted over the attempted murder of a man and a sex attack on a teenage girl that occurred after he was recommended for deportation has been arrested, police said today.

Caliph Ali Asmar was arrested during a search of an address in central Hull at around 10.30pm last night.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said he was arrested with four other men as a result of a call from a member of the public who saw the appeals for assistance through the media.

The Home Office said it could not comment on whether 25-year-old Asmar was on the list of foreign criminals who should have been considered for deportation following their release from prison.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has promised to investigate the case.

Asmar was arrested on suspicion of a serious assault on a man in Hull on Good Friday, the force spokeswoman said.

The 38-year-old victim was found with stab injuries on Beverley Road in the city and needed emergency surgery.

Asmar was also arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl from Hull.

Police said the victim was dragged into a car by two men and taken to an address in the city's New Michael Street where she suffered a serious sexual assault overnight and left the following morning.

The four other men, aged 19, 25, 29 and 32, were arrested during last night's operation on suspicion of assisting an offender.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said all five men were in custody at police stations in Hull and will be interviewed later.