Caravan park fugitive set his canine on tortoise then took suitcase of medicine on airplane
David O’Toole was found by cops hiding out in a caravan park in North Wales and was wanted for an array of offences, including one where he set his dog onto his then-girlfriend’s tortoise
O’Toole was found hiding in a caravan park(Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO)
A wanted man who was found hiding at a caravan park set his dog on his girlfriend’s tortoise, a court heard. David O’Toole, 40, was on the run for nine months after fleeing from the back of a police car having been found slumped at the wheel following a crash.
He was found by cops hiding out in a caravan park in North Wales and was wanted for an array of offences, including one where he set his dog onto his then-girlfriend’s tortoise.
Police say he filmed his dog savaging his partner’s beloved pet then just a matter of months later, attempted to smuggle £150,000 of cannabis into the UK on a flight from Barcelona.
He was caught red handed as he tried to get into Britain but claimed he had been “set up” and had n idea how the drugs had found their way into his packed suitcase.
He was first done for a crash in which he was found slumped at the wheel. Merseyside Police were called to a smash in Wirral, on July 15 last year and discovered a red car stopped in the middle of the road.
Both O’Toole and his front seat passenger were found “slumped over” inside the vehicle, with the defendant noted to have been slurring his words when eventually roused.
Jonathan Keane, prosecuting, said O’Toole “confirmed he had taken a couple of diazepam” and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving. Having been taken into the back of a police car, a class C drugs zopiclone and diazepam were discovered inside a black shoulder bag which he was carrying.
But somehow O’Toole managed to leg it away, climbing on top of a bin and over a fence before making his escape through the rear gardens of adjoining homes. He was only found on April 23 this year at Henllys Farm Touring and Camping in Towyn, North Wales.
Mr Keane added: “This was not a sophisticated escape. There was no violence or injury suffered. The only relevant factor may be how long the defendant was at large, which was just shy of a year.”
O’Toole has a total of 14 prior convictions for 26 offences, including suspended sentences for supplying class C drugs and breaching a non-molestation order.
He was jailed for 20 weeks in May 2016 after setting his dog on his then girlfriend’s pet tortoise and sending her sick videos of the attack.
A 29-year-old O’Toole, then of Birkett Road in Rock Ferry, was repeatedly heard shouting “go on, get him” during the clips as the dog “bit chunks” from the helpless tortoise’s shell. His now ex-partner was ultimately forced to give her pet up to a rescue centre due to being unable to pay the bill for veterinary treatment.
John Weate, defending O’Toole during his last appearance, told the court: “It is a strange set of circumstances. He finds himself before the court on this matter having been before the courts on number of occasions in the intervening period.
“There were occasions when he appeared before the court, got a suspended sentence and was then ordered to serve part of that suspended sentence. The defendant was subject to probation supervision. He had a fixed address. He was in police custody on a number of occasions.
“The reality is, it was spontaneous. He was, at the time, perhaps under the influence. There was no violence used. There was no preparation. He is optimistic for the future. There are issues relating to his mental health which go back many years. He has been in custody for some time now and he is effectively clean.”
O’Toole admitted escaping from lawful custody and possession of zopiclone and diazepam. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for nine months.
Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: “You pulled away and ran off. Police chased you. You crossed some railway tracks. Police had to deploy dogs. British Transport Police had to shut the tracks off to make them safe. You succeeded in your escape and were effectively on the run until April, a period of nine months.
“Clearly, in this case, there was no planning involved. It was an opportunistic and instinctive escape. No violence was offered to the police officers. It is reasonable to assume that some disruption to the railways was caused, and you failed to hand yourself in and were on the run for a substantial period of time.
“It is aggravated by two factors. Firstly, you were subject to a suspended sentence at the time of the offending, and, secondly, you do have an extensive criminal record. In terms of mitigation, there is very little of any compelling nature.”
