David O'Toole, a 40-year-old fugitive with a history of animal cruelty and drug smuggling, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after being on the run for nearly a year. He was found slumped over in a car following a crash in Wirral, having escaped from police custody in July 2025.
Escape from Police Custody
Merseyside Police responded to a crash on St Peter's Way in Noctorum, Wirral, on July 15 last year. They found a red car in the middle of the road with O'Toole and his front seat passenger slumped over inside. O'Toole was slurring his words when woken and admitted to taking diazepam. He was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, but while in the back of a police car, he pulled away and fled on foot, climbing over a bin and fence before escaping through rear gardens.
Prosecutor Jonathan Keane told Liverpool Crown Court that O'Toole was at large for nine months until he was found on April 23 this year at Henllys Farm Touring and Camping in Towyn, North Wales. Keane described the escape as unsophisticated, with no violence or injury, but noted the lengthy period of evasion.
History of Animal Cruelty and Drug Smuggling
O'Toole has 14 previous convictions for 26 offences. In May 2016, he was jailed for 20 weeks for setting his dog on his then-girlfriend's pet tortoise. He sent her videos of the attack, shouting 'go on, get him' as the dog bit chunks from the tortoise's shell. The tortoise required veterinary treatment, and the ex-partner had to give it up to a rescue centre due to costs.
Just weeks before that sentencing, in April 2016, O'Toole attempted to smuggle 15kg of cannabis worth £150,000 through Edinburgh Airport after a short trip to Spain. He claimed he was set up but later admitted he agreed to bring the drugs back to repay a debt. He received a 30-month sentence for being concerned in the supply of cannabis in March 2017.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
O'Toole admitted escaping from lawful custody and possession of class C drugs zopiclone and diazepam. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was sentenced by Judge Garrett Byrne. The judge noted the escape was opportunistic and instinctive, with no violence, but caused disruption to railways as police deployed dogs and British Transport Police shut tracks. O'Toole was subject to a suspended sentence at the time and has an extensive criminal record, leaving little mitigation.
Defence lawyer John Weate said O'Toole's actions were spontaneous and driven by mental health issues, adding that he is now clean after time in custody. O'Toole expressed optimism for the future.
