Superbike racer arrested on UK return after wife died in Dubai

Sean Emmett had been unable to leave the United Arab Emirates for 10 months as police had confiscated his passport following the death of his wife, who fell several floors from a hotel

Sean Emmett with Abbie before tragedy struck

A former British Superbike racer who had been held by police in Dubai after his wife died on their honeymoon, has been arrested in connection with her death upon his arrival to the UK.

Sean Emmett, 43, had been unable to leave the United Arab Emirates for 10 months after his passport was confiscated by police following the death.

Abbie Emmett, 27, died in February when she fell from the couple’s fourth-floor hotel window.

Mr Emmett had his passport given back to him by officials in the United Arab Emirates months after a probe into Mrs Emmett’s death was concluded, clearing him to return home.

But after flying to the UK from Dubai earlier today, Mr Emmett was held by police upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport. He has now been released on bail until March, police have said.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “A 43-year-old man has today been arrested by Surrey Police officers at Heathrow Airport in connection with the death of Surrey resident Abigail Emmett, nee Elson, in Dubai in February 2013.

“The man remains in custody while inquiries continue and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

Prior to arriving back in the UK, Mr Emmett had posted a picture of his newly returned passport on Twitter, describing it as the “best early Xmas pressie ever”.

He wrote on the social networking site today: “Thanks to everyone for all your messages, my phone's melting!! Flight booked and I'll be landing in Blighty 7.10 tmrw. £bringonthecold.”

In a video by heathrownews.com, posted on the Daily Mail website, Emmett is seen at Heathrow before being led to a police van.

He said it was a “huge relief” to be back in the UK, adding: “I just want to see my family... I really want to see my mum and my kids at the moment.”