A convicted murderer from Manchester who went on the run from prison has been arrested in Scotland.
Paul Gerrard was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 27 in July 2009 following the killing of David Argent, 29. He absconded from an open prison in Lancashire - HMP Kirkham - in December.
In an update issued today (January 18), Cheshire Police said the 40-year-old was found in Irvine in Scotland yesterday - more than 200 miles away from Lancashire. He was arrested on suspicion of absconding by officers from Cheshire’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
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Gerrard is now in custody. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray, of Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "Gerrard is a dangerous individual and I welcome the fact that the is now back behind bars where he belongs.
"I’d like to thank all of the officers involved in this manhunt for their dedication, going well beyond the boundaries of Cheshire to keep our communities safe."
Gerrard was convicted of murder at a trial alongside Gerrard Harper, 39, after they lured Mr Argent to a flat in Runcorn and beat him unconscious. Friends had warned Mr Argent not to go but once there he was brutally attacked as Gerrard and Harper punched him to the ground and stamped on his head, the ECHO reports.
Mr Argent, who had endured a campaign of intimidation in the time leading up to the vicious attack lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital where he remained in a coma for eight months until his death.
Gerrard, formerly of Lodge Road, Manchester, and Harper were convicted of murder after trial at Chester Crown Court. They were jailed for a minimum of 14 years each in prison.
The ECHO reported at the time how both men had denied being at the scene until confronted with Mr Argent’s blood on their clothes. The pair were initially charged with GBH, but their charges were changed to murder when Mr Harper died.
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