A lovesick dad who broke Covid restrictions by jet-skiing from Scotland to the Isle of Man to see his girlfriend has been refused re-entry into the country.

Dale McLaughlan, 28, had been provided with an exemption certificate issued for economic reasons, allowing him to enter the Crown Dependency in September.

He was there to complete a construction project that started before the pandemic and met his girlfriend Jessica Radcliffe, 30, during his stay.

His lover claimed he was due to return to the island on January 11 to carry out further roofing work, but officials confirmed they have refused to issue another certificate, effectively barring him from returning to the country.

The self-employed roofer had never driven a jet ski before and didn’t know how to swim when he set off on his 25-mile trip from the Isle of Whithorn to Ramsey, arriving on December 11 before being arrested the next day following ID checks.

McLaughlan returned to Scotland on December 23 after serving just under half of his four-week jail term for breaching Covid travel regulations.

It has also been suggested the workman did not adhere to coronavirus rules stated on his original entry certificate when he met Ms Radcliffe in a bar in September.

The document, covered from September 13 to October 2, clearly stated he had to self-isolate at all times outside of work and only travel to authorised locations – his place of work and accommodation – for 14 days following his arrival.

However, mum-of-two Ms Radcliffe revealed she had met McLaughlan on September 19 and again on September 25 – both within 14 days of his arrival on the island.

Smitten McLaughlan hit the headlines earlier this month when he embarked on his treacherous 25-mile jet ski journey across the Irish Sea.

A court heard McLaughlan had saved up to buy the vehicle and towed it 70 miles from his home in Irvine, North Ayrshire to a beach on the Isle of Whithorn.

He had expected the trip to take 40 minutes but due to bad weather it took him four-and-a-half-hours.

There was just ten minutes of fuel left in the tank when he arrived in Ramsey harbour, a police source said.

Speaking previously about his endeavours, healtchare worker Ms Radcliffe had nothing but praise for her lover.

She said: ‘I’ve had messages from all over the world. People have said, ‘What he did is heroic. You should marry that man.

‘If he asks me, I’ll say yes. It’s definitely a story to tell our grandkids.’

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