Crossword Genius

Deserter heading north is a sailor (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tar

'sailor' is the definition.
(slang term for a sailor)

'deserter heading north' is the wordplay.
'deserter' becomes 'rat' (both can mean a traitor).
'heading north' is a reversal indicator.
'rat' in reverse letter order is 'TAR'.

'is a' is the link.

(Other definitions for tar that I've seen before include "Familiar sailor - what a rat" , "Pitch; sailor" , "Sticky road material or informal sailor" , "One sails on sea" , "Cigarette substance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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