Emmett arrested on suspicion of murder at Heathrow airport

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Sean Emmett was arrested on his return to the United Kingdom at Heathrow airport this morning on suspicion of murdering his wife while on honeymoon in Dubai.

Father-of-three Emmett, 43, was held by officers as he stepped off a plane as police probed the circumstances surrounding how his wife Abbie plunged to her death from their hotel room in Dubai.

She died just days after the newly-weds had arrived in the United Arab Emirates following their wedding in Cape Town, South Africa, in February.

Dubai authorities had investigated the 27-year-old’s death, but found no suspicious circumstances and believed it to be a suicide leap from a window.

The former racing star was not aware that he was going to be met by British police at the airport, a force spokesman confirmed.

He had been stranded in Dubai after having his passport confiscated and being blacklisted by Dubai immigration officials following Abbie’s death in February.

Emmett had spoken of his joy at returning home after finally getting his passport back from Dubai immigration officials earlier this week.

A prolific tweeter, Emmett had kept his 3,925 Twitter followers informed of his progress back to the UK.

He even tweeted a picture of himself sitting on the plane making a peace sign just eight hours before his arrest at Heathrow.

Clearly unaware he would be arrested on his arrival, the accompanying message read: “Oh yes!!! It’s been a long while coming. See you all in Blighty soon my lovelies xxx”

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “This is the first opportunity Surrey officers have had to speak to him.

“It is difficult to comment on the rationale behind our inquiries but it is fair to say we are investigating the circumstances of Abigail’s death.

“Our investigation is proceeding the same as if she had died in Surrey, but obviously we have not been able to progress our investigation at all because he has been in Dubai for the last 10 months.”

Abigail’s father is a vicar in Ripley, near Woking in Surrey.

Speaking after her death, Rev Christopher Elson paid tribute to his daughter and said: “Abbie’s family and friends are shocked and devastated by this tragic event. She was loved for her talent and humour by us all.”

Andy Downes

By Andy Downes

Former MCN Senior Reporter