A convicted murderer who was ‘unlawfully at large’ while on licence was found on board a ferry.
David McDermott, 44, was arrested by police at Holyhead port on December 6 2022.
McDermott was subjected to special licencing conditions having been released from prison in 2010.
He was locked up in 1998 after he was convicted of murdering Andrew Miller at a bar in Bonhill, Dumbartonshire.
McDermott and co-accused James “Jazzer” Cunningham fractured Mr Miller’s skull with the blunt end of a machete.
He was also shot at and fatally stabbed as he tried to get away.
Mr Miller was left for dead by the pair on a floor of glass.
McDermott was issued with a licence on his release which prevented police to enter his stated address or address he would be in.
The licence was addressed to the home that he was believed to have been living in.
Prosecutor Jeremy O’Neill said: “McDermott was deemed unlawfully at large after failing to return to prison after being requested.
“On December 6 2022, he was traced as a foot passenger at Holyhead ferry port.”
Bob Mitchell, defending, told the court that the self-employed carpet fitter has not offended since his release from prison.
He stated that his client had previously faced a one-year and one day remand in custody for another matter he was not convicted for.
Mr Mitchell added: “He feared what happened to him before would happen to him again.
“He had a one-year-old child and a partner suffering from post-natal depression – the timing was extremely unfortunate.
“When he was arrested, he was still using his own name and passport…he knew he would return to custody.”
Mr Mitchell stated that the matter he was recalled for in relation to a former employee also did not come to fruition.
McDermott pled guilty to a charge of being unlawfully at large by failing to return to prison.
Sheriff Joan Kerr stated: “You know you must comply given your background and in my view only prison is appropriate.”
McDermott was sentenced to 14 months behind bars.
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