A Dumfriesshire man who helped two killers in their attempt to flee justice has been given a jail sentence.
Thirty-two-year-old Ross Neville of Canonbie was originally given a community payback order and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
But the case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Scheme.
And on Tuesday he was sentenced to an immediate prison term of one year and 10 months for the role he played in helping killers Kane Hull and Liam Porter flee the UK.
Neville, a commercial vehicle dealer, is now the subject of a police search after he failed to report to cops by 6pm that day.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mick Bird, of the Cumbria force, said: “With Neville having failed to attend, we would ask the public to report any sightings of this man.
“We do not consider him a danger to the public but we would ask people not to approach him if they see him. They should instead contact us on 999 as soon as possible.
“We would also urge Neville to come forward to officers if seeing this appeal.”
Neville was originally sentenced in December at Carlisle Crown Court alongside Olivia Memmory, 22, and Michael Celmins, 32.
This followed the murder case involving Kane Hull,29, and Liam Porter, 33, who were both jailed for life in October for the murder of 24-year-old Ryan Kirkpatrick in the city.
Hull and Porter had gone on-the-run to Southern Ireland after Mr Kirkpatrick was stabbed to death on a night out.
Neville, Celmins and Memmory gave assistance as the men tried to evade police.
In the hours after the murder, Neville transported Hull and Porter away from Carlisle and was caught on CCTV at his own address as he housed the pair, the court heard.
Neville had also gone with Hull to Newcastle and back, and then to acquire an Audi from Carlisle’s Kingmoor industrial estate.
His original sentence was branded “disgraceful” by Mr Kirkpatrick’s mother.
Celmins, 33, of Irthington, Carlisle, who was initially jailed for 12 months, saw his sentence increased to two years on Tuesday.
Following the appeal hearing, Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said: “I wish to express my sympathies to the family of Ryan Kirkpatrick.
“Ross Neville and Michael Celmins shamefully assisted two brutal murderers flee the UK in a cowardly attempt to evade justice.
“It was clear to me that the original sentences given to the pair were not appropriate, so I welcome the decision of the court to hand down sentences which better reflect the crimes that have taken place.”
Det Chief Supt Bird added: “We welcome the increased sentences given out yesterday (Tuesday) and hope it helps provide some comfort to the family and friends of Mr Kirkpatrick.”
