Man found in pub with ?6 and toothbrush after nearly two years on the run

An inmate fled from prison and was not seen again for nearly two years, when he was found in a pub with only a toothbrush and £6 in cash on him.

Paul Gallagher had less than a year left to serve behind bars when he absconded from jail, where he had been serving in open prison conditions. The convicted drug dealer then apparently spent the following 22 months "sofa surfing" with friends while at large, before he was belatedly detained once more in a student bar.

Liverpool Crown Court ^[1] heard on Friday that the 39-year-old, of no fixed address but formerly of Fazakerley ^[2], had been serving a 67-month sentence, imposed in August 2020 for drug supply offences, at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire when he walked out "without lawful authority" on January 13 2022. And Gallagher, who was due to be released on licence in December of that year, then "failed to return to complete his sentence".

Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, described how he would only be arrested shortly after 5pm on November 29 last year in the Font on Arrad Street in Liverpool city centre ^[4]. The fugitive made no comment under interview, but gave a prepared statement in which he admitted to detectives that he had absconded shortly after the death of his brother Keith and had been "struggle to deal with his passing and his mental health", as well as lockdown measures within the prison.

Gallagher has a total of 12 previous convictions for 30 offences. Rebecca Smith, defending, told the court: "The defendant impulsively walked out of prison and didn't return.

"The reason for his escape is as the defendant openly and candidly indicated to the police when arrested. He was allowed to be escorted to the funeral.

"It appears that and other factors in the prison system had a detrimental impact on the defendant's mental health. He says he has effectively been sofa surfing between friends.

"While his family knew, he didn't stay with them and didn't place the burden on them. He tells me he was effectively living hand to mouth, with people providing him with bits of money now and again.

"When he was arrested, he had a toothbrush and £6 in his pockets. He hasn't committed any further offences while he has been at large."

Gallagher admitted escaping lawful custody. He nodded as he was jailed for an additional six months and waved to his mum and sister in the public gallery before being led down to the cells.

Sentencing, Judge David Aubrey KC said: "You have a most unattractive record, which includes possession of a prohibited firearm. It could be said that you are entrenched in criminal activities.

"You left the prison grounds, and you were then not seen again by the authorities until your arrest some 22 months later. It is that factor and that factor alone that is the serious aspect of this case.

"It cannot be said there was any planning and there was no violence executed in order to secure your escape, you simply left the prison grounds. You have been returned to serve the remainder of your sentence.

"When you were arrested, you gave an explanation as to the reasons that you had left the prison grounds. That cannot explain or excuse what you did.

"The court is somewhat sceptical as to what you have been doing. Who knows what you have been doing in that period of time when you were at liberty, when you should have been serving the sentence of 67 months imprisonment."

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References

^{^} Liverpool Crown Court (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^{^} Fazakerley (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^{^} Pensioner scarred after bride and sister 'tussle' over wedding dress (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^{^} Liverpool city centre (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^{^} Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)