#stephen archer

UK News

Suspect arrested as fire victim dies from burns after being doused in petrol

A suspect has been arrested after the death of his sister who was doused with petrol and set alight. Stephen Archer was spotted by an off-duty police officer getting off a train at Marple railway station and armed officers were sent to arrest him. Witnesses described how police cars pulled up to block him in before bundling him to the ground in the snow. He is being questioned on suspicion of murder. The 49-year-old victim suffered burns to 70% of her body and was taken to hospital but it emerged today that she had since died.

Another BMW police car came in front of me. One officer came up with a Taser and grabbed the man by the shoulder and two or three officers got him to the ground.

Witness David Rowbotham describes the arrest

Archer, 50, disappeared after reports that a man had deliberately set a woman on fire at a house in Newton Heath, Manchester on Monday morning. A second woman, 19, escaped without injury from an upstairs window of the house. Police issued appeals for help in tracing him and overnight his mother, Wendy, made an emotional video plea for him to give himself up.

However, the fact we have made an arrest does not mean the investigation ends here - far from it.

UK News

Fugitive sought over petrol attack sends birthday card to his mother

A suspect who went on the run after a woman was doused with petrol and set alight has sent his mother a birthday card. Stephen Archer, who is being hunted by detectives on suspicion of attempted murder, posted the card to his mother, Wendy. She has now appealed for her son, 50, to give himself up. In a tearful 20-second video appeal, she said: "Steve, I have got your card. I want you to know that no-one is controlling me and no-one is forcing me to send this message to you."

I know you think I am covering things up but I am not. I do not want any harm to come to you. Will you please contact the police.

Wendy Archer

Archer went on the run on Monday after the attack in Newton Heath, Manchester. The 49-year-old victim, reported to be Mr Archer's sister, remains in a critical condition after she suffered 70% burns to her body. Police have warned that Archer, from Openshaw, may be carrying several bottles of petrol and have asked petrol station workers to be "extra vigilant" and alert the authorities if they think they see him. Supt Arif Nawaz, of Greater Mancheser Police, said: "We can assure the victim, the family and the wider public that we are doing everything we can to find the person responsible and bring them to justice."

We have followed several leads and have received some very helpful information but unfortunately we have still not found him.