A convicted murderer is back behind bars tonight after escaping from an open prison in December 2022.
Paul Gerrard, 40, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 for the brutal murder of Widnes man David Argent in Runcorn, absconded from HMP Kirkham in Lancashire. Cheshire Police said that after initial enquiries the case was passed from Lancashire Constabulary to Cheshire colleagues.
The county's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) detectives launched an investigation. A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said "extensive enquiries" led to the discovery of "intelligence" suggesting Gerrard had gone to Scotland.
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SOCU officers located Gerrard in a B&B in Irvine, on the west coast near Kilmarnock.
The spokeswoman said: "Officers from the unit were immediately deployed to the area and on Tuesday, January 17 they located Gerrard hiding in a bed and breakfast in Irvine, Scotland.
"He was immediately arrested and taken back to Lancashire where he was subsequently charged with escaping from lawful custody.
"Gerrard appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on Thursday, February 16 where he was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison."
Detective Inspector Nick Henderson, of Cheshire Constabulary’s SOCU, said: “I welcome this sentence handed to Gerrard who is back behind bars where he belongs.
“This case demonstrates our determination to ensure that offenders are held accountable for their actions, with officers going well beyond the boundaries of Cheshire to keep our communities safe.”
The ECHO reported in January that Gerrard, formerly of Lodge Road, Manchester, had absconded.
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