A MAN arrested in Italy by detectives hunting the killer of a Hampshire crane driver whose body was found in a burning car has been charged with murder.

Arben Lleshi was flown back to Britain yesterday afternoon – 12 days after being arrested in Rome by Hampshire police officers on suspicion of the killing of Agim Hoxha.

Agim was discovered dead, his body badly burned inside his own car which had been set alight, last month.

Since then a large team of murder squad detectives have been involved in the search to find whoever was responsible.

The Daily Echo revealed almost two weeks ago how police had made a breakthrough in their investigation, following the arrest of a 25- year-old Southampton man in Rome.

Late yesterday afternoon Lleshi, of Onslow Road, Southampton, was flown back to Gatwick airport. He was escorted by three major crime team detectives and returned to Southampton where he was formally charged with murder.

Agim, 29, came to Southampton to find work as a young man. His family described him as an “honest and loving” person to everyone who knew him.

Police have previously revealed that he had become involved in the drugs scene in the city, but they have not so far revealed further details about the exact motive for his killing.

Agim’s body was found by firefighters in the early morning of Tuesday April 10 in his silver Mercedes coupe car which had been set alight at the side of Chilworth Drove, in Chilworth.

Detectives say that his body was so badly burned they were unable, so far, to determine how he died – although they know he was dead before the fire started.

Under the terms of the European arrest warrant, which was granted in Hampshire several weeks ago, Lleshi cannot be interviewed about the crime.

After arriving back in the city last night he was taken to Southampton Central police station where he was assessed, offered the opportunity to make any comment and charged.

He was due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court this morning.

• Afrin Lleshi, 36, of Shirley Road, Southampton, has been charged with trying to pervert the course of justice after allegedly assisting in disposing of Agim’s body.