The jet ski Romeo who was jailed after breaking Covid rules has apologised to island residents for the trouble he caused.
Self employed roofer Dale McLaughlan, aged 28, said: ’I wouldn’t say I regret it, but I’m sorry for whatever stress I’ve caused. I should never have done it.
’It could be called a crime of passion.’
But he also says he has put the Isle of Man on the map and he hopes one day to be able to marry Jessica Radcliffe, who lives in Douglas.
He made headlines worldwide when he crossed the Irish Sea by jet ski to visit Ms Radcliffe.
At the weekend copies of the Sunday Mirror were snapped up in the island after McLachlan told his side of the story to the red top tabloid. It was the front page splash and the paper devoted two more pages to the story inside.
Scotsman McLachlan, speaking for the first time since his release from the prison at Jurby two days before Christmas, told the paper that he forked out £5,500 for a jet ski so he could be reunited with Ms Radcliffe.
McLaughlan had visited the island lawfully in September, which is when he met Jessica Radcliffe in a town centre bar.
He admitted what he did in the 27-mile journey from the southern tip of Scotland to Ramsey was anything but smooth and what he did was ’crazy’.
McLachlan, who had never sat on a jet ski before, claimed he was battered by waves for four-and-a-half hours after veering off course.
He held on for dear life and said he felt like ’a crappy James Bond’.
McLachlan said his fuel light was showing empty so he landed in Ramsey. He said: ’I felt such relief. The closer I got the sunnier it got. It was like a beacon of hope.’
He said he landed at 12.30pm and was unaware he was photographed as he sailed into Ramsey harbour.
McLachlan said his bag was packed with Ms Radcliffe’s Christmas presents including a watch, a coat and ’a couple of girly smelly things’.
He added: ’I took the dry suit off, leaving my tracksuit on underneath and marched to Jess’s house in Douglas. It was about 15 miles. I just stuck my headphones on and off I went.’
He said when he arrived at her home in Anagh Coar she ’peeked her head out of the window and let out a bit of a scream’.
The next night they were stopped by police in Douglas but were allowed to go on their way.
McLaughlan was arrested the next evening.
He told the paper that one of the police officers said: ’You’re lucky to be alive! I know people that wouldn’t try that in the summer on a boat.’
He was jailed for four weeks on December 14 for arriving in the island unlawfully.
But he was released in time to get home to Irvine, Ayrshire.
At Jurby he was ’locked up 24/7 isolation because of Covid. My meals were passed through the door.
’The guard said I’d made the papers around the world. The New York Times were trying to call me. I was like "What? I’m a guy from Scotland.’’ People are saying I’m a legend. I think I’ve lifted a lot of spirits.’
The paper reports that McLaughlan now wants to marry Ms Radcliffe.
He says: The sooner I can start a life with Jessica the better. I’d move there tomorrow if it wasn’t for Covid.
’The Isle of Man is now famous for the TT and one crazy jet ski guy.’
Ms Radcliffe told the paper: ’I love Dale. How could I not after what he did? ’I would like to marry him, but not this year. He’s got to get over here first - legally this time.’ We reported last week that no exemption certificate has been issued to McLaughlan allowing him to return to the island.