THIS is the moment a lovesick Romeo arrived on the Isle of Man after an epic 25 mile journey on a jet ski to see girlfriend – with only 10 MINUTES worth of fuel left.
Dale McLaughlan, 28, spent 4½ hours on the machine — having never used one before — after setting sail from the Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire, on Friday.
The roofer, from Irvine, Ayrshire, thought the trip would only take him 40 minutes – but spent hours crossing the Irish Sea due to bad weather.
Stunned local Noel Corlett then caught the moment he arrived at the island’s Ramsey harbour on Friday afternoon.
In the snaps, the Scots dad can be sporting a hat with the Scottish flag and a bright orange backpack.
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A police source told iomtoday that McLaughlan had just 10 minutes of fuel left in his tank when he arrived.
The 28-year-old was jailed yesterday after he admitted arriving unlawfully in breach of Manx Covid rules in a desperate bid to see lover Jessica Radcliffe.
He was locked up for four weeks after Friday’s stunt – and is set to miss Christmas with his kids.
Sentencing him at the island’s Douglas Courthouse, Deputy High Bailiff Christopher Arrowsmith said he made a “deliberate and intentional attempt to circumnavigate” the border restrictions.
He also stressed that he put himself “at very real risk” of harm with the crossing.
But amused Scots have insist the Ayrshire lad should be REWARDED for his romantic gesture and not punished.
One Scottish Sun reader said: “Jailed??? Get that man a statue erected in honor of this noble deed.”
Another wrote: “Get yourself a guy who goes to these lengths just to see you, definitely relationship goals.”
The day before his bonkers sea trip, McLaughlan had bought a jet ski and towed it 70 miles from his Irvine home to a beach on the Isle of Whithorn.
The court heard he had never driven a jet ski before embarking on the journey to Ramsey.
He then walked 15 miles to his sweetheart’s home in Douglas – after struggling being apart for months.
On Saturday, he told police his girlfriend’s address was his own, before the pair partied at two busy clubs.
He was then nicked on Sunday following ID checks.
The roofer, who worked on the isle in September, made the plan after his latest work permit was rejected.
Last night, his mum Allison said: “He could have killed himself.
“I just don’t know why he did it. He’ll be missing his kids over Christmas.”
Public health officials last night said they are “satisfied” there is no risk to the public.
The Isle of Man’s current Level 4 Covid system allows those residents to make non-essential journeys beyond the island, but they must self-isolate for 14 days upon return.
Those who don’t live on the island must complete a registration form and be granted an entry certificate to be allowed in.
There have been just 373 confirmed Covid-19 cases on the Isle of Man since March, with four current cases – none of which are in hospital.
