Spanish police arrest UK most-wanted fugitive John Rocks in Madrid, identified by tattoos

The arrest

Spanish National Police officers from the Central Unit for Family and Women's Care (UFAM) arrested 37-year-old British national John Rocks on August 1, 2026, at approximately 6 p.m. on the terrace of a Taco Bell on Calle de la Princesa in central Madrid. Rocks had been in the city only about two days before his capture. He was wearing a cap and glasses to partially conceal his face and was ordering a beer when officers moved in. He carried no documents, refused to cooperate, and provided contradictory personal data. Visible tattoos, including the initials "JR" on his neck, a name on one forearm and a phrase on the other, together with a facial scar and his approximately 1.95 metres of height, allowed officers to link him to the wanted notice. His identity was subsequently confirmed through fingerprint analysis.

The crimes and the flight

Police Scotland attributes to Rocks several sexual assaults committed between 2012 and 2022, many of them against women who were his romantic partners at the time. Rocks fled Scotland in 2022 when courts began pursuing him. He hid in Benidorm (Alicante), where compatriots involved in criminal activity provided him with shelter. He lived in other criminals' apartments, in tents, and in drug dens, had nothing registered in his name, and left no bank transaction trail. Police believe he may have been involved in drug trafficking.

On October 7, 2022, Rocks violently attacked a young woman named Nancy whom he had met through the website OnlyFans. Nancy filed a complaint describing the assault.

“Girls, please avoid John Rocks, alias the Scot, who works in Benidorm for a gang. He left me destroyed, with broken ribs. He locked me in my apartment, took my passport and my phone, strangled me, punched and kicked me all over my body, bit my mouth and threw me against the wall.”

He was detained by police in Benidorm at that time, but the international arrest warrant was not yet in force, and a fast-track trial resulted in a 400 euro fine.

The investigation

The Spanish investigation began in 2024 following a communication from UK police about the sexual assault crimes. UFAM investigators initially located Rocks in Benidorm and conducted multiple trips there, carrying out surveillance and checks at places he frequented. These efforts allowed them to establish behavioral patterns, gather clues about his possible location, and identify third parties who may have been assisting him. The investigation was described as especially complex due to the concealment measures Rocks adopted, including using a false identity and not staying in one place for long.

In February 2026, an international arrest warrant was issued for extradition purposes, and Interpol issued a Red Notice. In May 2026, Rocks was included in the "The UK's Most Wanted Fugitives" campaign promoted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and CrimeStoppers, with Spain's Interior Ministry joining the effort. He was one of 12 fugitives on the list.

What happens next

Rocks has been placed at the disposal of the Audiencia Nacional, which will decide on his extradition to the United Kingdom. With his arrest, two of the 12 fugitives from the most wanted campaign have been detained in Spain since the initiative was launched less than three months ago.