Scots drug lord who fired shotgun outside pub jailed for illegal phone behind bars

Sean McGovern -Credit:Police Scotland
Sean McGovern -Credit:Police Scotland


A Scots drugs lord who absconded from prison last year has been jailed for six-months after being found with a phone behind bars.

Last month, Sean 'Lugs' McGovern made an appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court, facing charges of possessing a personal communication device while in jail. The case was first brought up in March and then adjourned to April 18 for further proceedings without a plea.

McGovern's sentence was reduced from nine months to six after being discovered with the device at HMP Castle Huntly.

Edinburgh Live reported in June 2023 that the gangster was warned his life was in danger before fleeing custody at the prison and going on the run for a week. He later handed himself in to HMP Shotts.

Police Scotland issued a missing person appeal and warned the public not to approach him when he escaped. Days later, armed officers were spotted combing a Midlothian town during their search for the 40-year-old.

In March 2024 McGovern admitted absconding from prison and was jailed for 10 months to run alongside his existing sentence.

In 2016, McGovern was targeted in a horrifying slashing in Edinburgh's city centre while about to return to prison after home leave. Two hitmen set upon him with blades, witnessed by a Daily Record reporter and photographer, before fleeing in a Skoda.

David Togher, the right-hand man of Edinburgh cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson, 36, was later jailed for six years for his role in the ambush.

McGovern was sentenced to 17 years jail after firing two rounds from a shotgun outside the Gauntlet Bar, in Broomhouse, Edinburgh, in 2008. He got six years and nine months for the gun attack and 10 years for running a heroin empire in the capital.

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