Jet ski Romeo who made daredevil journey for love is released from jail – but WON’T be spending Xmas with his girlfriend
A JET ski Romeo who made a daredevil journey across the Irish Sea to see his girlfriend has been released from jail - but WON'T be spending Christmas with his love.
Dale McLaughlan, 28, made the treacherous 4.5-hour trip from Irvine, Scotland to the Isle of Man earlier this month to see girlfriend Jessica Radcliffe - despite having never ridden a jet ski before.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The roofer had just ten minutes of fuel left when he arrived at Ramsey harbour after he assumed the journey would take just 40 minutes.
The dad-of-two was jailed for breaking coronavirus rules - however he has now been released three days early and is on his way home to Scotland.
Speaking today, Dale : "I'm overjoyed to be out.
"I'm so happy to be coming home for Christmas."
Jessica added the news was "bittersweet" as his release meant they were denied a reunion as he returned to Scotland.
She said: "They let him out of prison first thing and he's on his way home."
The lovers were prevented from meeting again by the same rules which led to Dale being banged up for 28 days.
He arrived at the Sea Terminal just after 8am this morning, escorted to the departure gate by a member of the prison staff.
He was carrying his backpack which he had taken on his treacherous jet ski journey across the Irish Sea on Friday December 11.
Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal, in an attempt to stop a spike in Covid cases.
However according to advice on the Scottish Government website, travel is permitted between Scotland and the Isle of Man, but only in Scottish areas that are in Level 0, 1 or 2.
North Ayrshire - the council area where Irvine sits - is in Level 3, and will be moving to Level 4 on Boxing Day.
A Scotland Government spokesperson said there are no exceptions to the travel advice for released prisoners.
The spokesperson said it would be up to police if McLaughlan would be arrested when he returns to Scotland.
The Sun Online has contacted Scotland Police for comment.
WEDDING WISH
His girlfriend, who is self-isolating, had called for her lover to be released from prison for Christmas. But her hopes for them to be reunited have been dashed.
After his grand gesture, Jessica revealed she would tie the knot with Dale if he proposes.
The mum-of-two explained: “I’ve had messages from all over the world.
“People from Italy have sent pictures of jet skis saying, ‘This is for your boyfriend, showing our support.’
“People from Ireland have said, ‘What he did is heroic. You should marry that man.'
“If he asks me, I’ll say yes. It’s definitely a story to tell our grandkids.”
Dale reportedly splashed out on a jet ski just one day before he made the trip to see Jessica, 30, despite never driving one before and being unable to swim.
He towed the jet ski 70 miles from his Irvine home to a beach on the Isle of Whithorn.
A source told he was a "nice lad" but was "thick as a brick" after he assumed the 25-mile expedition would take just 40 minutes.
After he finally arrived on shore, he had to walk from Ramsey to Douglas, before he was able to see his sweetheart.
The couple met in September, when he was legally working on the island before being separated by lockdown rules.
LOVER'S PLAN
The roofer came up with the plan after his latest work permit was rejected, forcing him to think of another way to see his beau.
But not everyone was as impressed with his efforts, as his bemused mother said: "He could have killed himself! I just don't know why he did it."
He told police his girlfriend's address was his own, before the pair headed off to two busy clubs.
Following ID checks, he was nicked the next day.
The Isle of Man has strict border rules in regard to Covid, which seem to have paid off as the population of 85,000 has been able to maintain low levels of the virus.
Sentencing him at the island’s Douglas Courthouse, Deputy High Bailiff Christopher Arrowsmith said he made a “deliberate and intentional attempt to circumnavigate” the border restrictions.
He also stressed that he put himself “at very real risk” of harm with the crossing.
Most read in News
The current Level 4 system on the Isle of Man allows residents to make non-essential journeys beyond the island, but requires them to self-isolate for 14 days upon return.
Read More on The Sun
Non-residents must complete a registration form and be granted an entry certificate to be allowed in.
There have been just 373 confirmed coronavirus cases there since March, with just four current cases - none of who are in hospital.
