Convicted murderer sentenced after absconding from prison

A convicted murderer who absconded from a prison in Lancashire has been jailed after he was captured in Scotland by officers from Cheshire Police.

Paul Gerrard sentenced to life in prison in 2009 after he was convicted of the murder of David Argent, in Runcorn.

The court heard how the 40-year-old absconded from HMP Kirkham, Lancashire, in December 2022.

Following, initial enquiries Lancashire police the case was passed over to Cheshire police.

An investigation was launched by detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, and after following extensive enquiries officers discovered intelligence suggesting that Gerrard had travelled to Scotland.

Officers from the unit were immediately deployed to the area and on Tuesday 17 January 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 16 February where he was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison.

Detective Inspector Nick Henderson, of Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, 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.”