A double murder fugitive confronted a British holidaymaker outside a hotel on the Canary Islands five months ago, a witness has said.
The ECHO can reveal new claims that Kevin Parle - Merseyside's most wanted man - was spotted in La Palma, two days after Christmas.
It comes as the career criminal today marks his 40th birthday after 15 years on the run since the unsolved gun murders of mum-of-three Lucy Hargreaves and 16-year-old Liam Kelly in Liverpool.
New information has reached private investigator Peter Bleksley over the last week, alleging Parle was seen on the popular sun-kissed Atlantic Ocean island on December 27.
A man, on holiday at the time in La Palma, contacted the ex-Scotland Yard undercover detective who has made it his personal mission to find the 6ft 6ins runaway, nicknamed "Hemp."
The tourist told a story of how he came across an "aggressive" man outside a hotel called La Palma & Teneguía Princess, who he is convinced is Parle.
He has recounted returning from a walk with his girlfriend and seeing a very tall man standing by the smoking shelter of a hotel.
The distinctive man suddenly blocked his way for no reason, he remembered, "in an aggressive manner", and when he tried to walk around him, the stranger moved and blocked him again.
A security guard, who had seen the incident, shouted over in Spanish, which prompted the tall man to step aside, allowing the tourist to enter the hotel.
Since the random encounter, the witness came across news articles and Mr Bleksley's ongoing podcast about Parle, noting claims of his violent behaviour.
He has also studied photographs of him.
The man has said the stranger he came across looks identical to a digitally-enhanced image of what detectives think Parle looks like now.
Mr Bleksley said: "The witness has never seen this man before.
"It was such an unusual event, and aggressive, that he feared for his safety.
"He is entirely convinced this was Kevin Parle.
"The guy didn't speak to him and he didn't hear him speak to anyone else.
"He was wearing glasses at the time.
"It was particularly unpleasant, according to him.
"He never saw him again."
Speaking about Parle's 40th birthday, Mr Bleksley added: "The thought of him with a glass of champagne today, and possibly with a girlfriend on his arm, is absolutely galling.
"It's frustrating that I'm currently stuck at home because of lockdown, particularly given the research and detail-laden intelligence I've got."
This is the first time a reported sighting of Parle has been made in the Canary Islands, with previous claims of sightings in Dubai, Thailand and many eyewitness accounts of him on the Costa Blanca in Spain.
Mr Bleksley is writing about his hunt for Parle and has had six more episodes of his podcast - Manhunt - Finding Kevin Parle - commissioned by the BBC.
The fugitive is wanted following the two high-profile murders, the first the gunning down of teenager Liam Kelly on Grafton Street in Dingle, in 2004.
The following year, Lucy Hargreaves, 22, was shot dead as she slept on a sofa at a home in Walton and the couch then set on fire.
Past information reaching the private investigator has included testimonies from two former girlfriends of Parle, who described their stormy relationships with him.
Other claims have been made of the Liverpudlian regularly visiting a cannabis cafe and also being with a group of women allegedly snorting coke in a bar's toilets, prompting Parle to square up to a barman who wanted to throw them out, it was said.
Both those sightings are claimed to have happened in Albir, a small beach resort sandwiched between Altea and Benidorm on the northern coast.
He is also said to have spent a whole summer in hiding at Mi Sol Holiday Park in Torrevieja in 2006.
Parle was released on bail after he was arrested in connection with Ms Hargreaves' murder, a case in which the killers were understood to be looking for the 22-year-old's boyfriend, Gary Campbell, who has acknowledged he was the intended target.
Parle, who has distinctive ginger or strawberry blonde hair, was similarly quizzed for Liam's tragic shooting.
He absconded shortly afterwards.
If you have information about Parle's apparent whereabouts, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or Merseyside Police by ringing 101.
