Jet-ski love’s labour’s lost
Romeo freed from prison... but sent home, 250 miles from Isle of Man girlfriend
A LOVESICK roofer who was jailed after jet-skiing to the Isle of Man to see his girlfriend was released yesterday in time for Christmas.
But Dale McLaughlan will have to wait to be reunited with Jessica Radcliffe – as he was promptly told to get the ferry home to Scotland.
Mr McLaughlan, 28, was landed in a cell for breaking Covid rules after his four-and-a-half hour journey across the Irish Sea.
He cannot swim, had never been on a jet ski and assumed the trip would take 40 minutes.
Mother-of-two Miss Radcliffe, 30, asked a lawyer if he could stay on the island after his ‘isolation’ in Jurby Prison but was told he might
‘Told to get the ferry to Scotland’
face a second arrest. Miss Radcliffe said his release, part way through his 28- day sentence, was ‘ bittersweet’ but she would see him as soon as she ‘legally’ could. She added: ‘I meant it when I said I’d marry him if he asked me. Anyone who is prepared to cross an ocean to see you has got to be serious.’
When Mr McLaughlan arrived on December 11, he had just a few minutes of fuel left.
He then walked 15 miles to his lover’s home and spent the weekend with her – but Covid rules state non-residents must have special permission to enter the island.
The journey made global headlines and saw Mr McLaughlin compared to the Cadbury Milk Tray man from the classic adverts.
Speaking from a ferry – not a jet ski – on his 250-mile journey home to Irvine in Ayrshire via Lancashire, the father-of-two told MailOnline: ‘I’m overjoyed to be out... I’m so happy to be coming home for Christmas.’
Miss Radcliffe added: ‘I couldn’t face him spending Christmas in a police cell, so reluctantly we agreed the best thing would be for him to go home to Scotland for now.’