Stephen Andrew McLaughlin ordered to be surrendered to UK

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court ordered Stephen Andrew McLaughlin’s surrender to the UK on 20 June 2024 and remanded him in prison for no more than 25 days pending the order’s execution. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said he would not postpone the extradition.

One warrant sought his surrender to serve the remaining 341 days of a sentence for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK. McLaughlin denied the conspiracy charge but was convicted by a jury. The judgment records a sentence of seven years and 121 days imposed at Basildon Crown Court on 16 June 2016.

The judgment was delivered on 14 June 2024. It records that McLaughlin was released on licence on 15 February 2018 and recalled on 23 September that year after allegedly committing further offences, missing probation appointments and displaying poor behaviour.

A separate warrant sought his surrender for prosecution on seven alleged offences in Northern Ireland: attempted murder, a threat to kill, criminal damage, two counts of assault and two of dangerous driving. The warrant alleges that on 19 September 2022 he rammed his former partner’s car, put her in a chokehold and threatened to kill her. It also alleges that he assaulted her female friend.

On 20 June, the court heard that McLaughlin faced separate charges in Ireland, including two of dangerous driving and one public order charge dating from 2015, as well as charges of simple drug possession and possession of a razor blade. His barrister, David Perry, said McLaughlin wished to be surrendered rather than await the conclusion of those matters. The judge said the UK and Northern Ireland matters were more serious and declined to postpone extradition.