A convicted killer is back behind bars after he was caught drug-driving at Tebay services.
Joseph Robert Thomson, now 51, was one of two men handed life sentences in 2003 after they admitted murdering a 67-year-old widow in an arson attack on her home in south Wales.
Thomson and a partner-in crime confessed to pouring petrol through the letterbox of the widow’s Port Talbot house, and setting it alight — a court hearing the duo had tossed a coin to determine who would have that latter honour.
The murderers had held an unproven belief that an offence had been committed by the woman’s war veteran son, who was also hurt in the arson attack, which was committed in June, 2002.
Thomson and his accomplice also admitted conspiring to cause the son grievous bodily harm intent. They were handed life sentences by a judge who called the killers evil, brutish and cruel.
Thomson was later released from custody on licence but appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today after he committed a new offence.
Prosecutor Peter Kelly said a Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Thomson was stopped by police at Tebay services, off the M6, on August 25 2024.
Thomson was described as being fully compliant with officers as they carried out checks.
“He is quite candid with them,” said Mr Kelly. “He indicates he has consumed controlled substances in the past few days.”
Drugs wipe tests proved positive for cocaine and cannabis. An evidential sample showed the level of cocaine in Thomson’s blood stream was above the legal driving limit. The amount of cannabis was below that required for prosecution.
Thomson — appearing in front of magistrates via a video link from custody — pleaded guilty to drug-driving.
The court heard he had since been recalled to prison in respect of his unexpired life sentence, and had not yet been given any new release date.
Addressing magistrates about the drug-driving offence, Thomson said: “I was at a party two days before. I consumed some cocaine and some cannabis. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Thomson, latterly of Keppochhill Road, Glasgow, was fined £80 and must pay other court costs totalling £117.
He was also given a 12-month driving ban, which starts with immediate effect.
