Two men arrested over contract killing

Police hunting the killers of an accountant shot dead by hooded gunmen at his home have arrested two men after an international inquiry that has lasted four years.

David Wilson, 47, was murdered while his family were held hostage at their home at Withnell, near Chorley, Lancashire in 1992.

The two suspects were arrested in the London area late on Wednesday night

Michael Austin, 39, an American millionaire fraudster, was jailed for life last February for ordering the murder of Mr Wilson, who was shot twice in the head. He was killed after becoming entangled in a pounds 26.5m international cigarette and insurance fraud, masterminded by Austin.

Austin was extradited from New York to face trial last February. The court was told heamassed about pounds 60m from his criminal career. He had at least 50 aliases and even close associates did not know his real name. Stephen Schepke, 46, an arms dealer from Sidcup, Kent, was given a life sentence in October 1993 for aiding and abetting the murder. Other people have also been convicted.

Following the convictions the police revealed they had found a finger print on sticky tape left at the murder scene. The arrests on Wednesday are understood to have been connected to the prints.

The two men were yesterday brought back to Lancashire for questioning after being arrested by a team of Lancashire detectives.

Superintendent Bob Denmark, who has headed a worldwide hunt for the killers, said: "I do believe that our four-year hunt for the gunmen is drawing to a close."