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Murderer on the run from prison Murderer on the run from prison
(40 minutes later)
A murderer who was jailed more than 30 years ago has gone on the run from a controversial open prison in Tayside. A murderer jailed more than 30 years ago has gone on the run from a controversial open prison in Tayside.
John Brown, who was sentenced to life in 1976, failed to return to Castle Huntly, near Dundee, after being allowed out on home leave. John Brown, who was sentenced to life in 1976, 33 years ago, failed to return to Castle Huntly on Wednesday, after being allowed out on home leave.
The 57-year-old was due back at the jail on Wednesday. His disappearance occurred before the justice secretary described the case of another prisoner who went on the run last week as unacceptable.
Brian Martin later handed himself in. Police are hunting for John Brown.
The issue of criminals absconding from Castle Huntly has caused controversy, following a number of recent high-profile cases.The issue of criminals absconding from Castle Huntly has caused controversy, following a number of recent high-profile cases.
On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the case of a serious offender who went on the run from the open jail last week as unacceptable.On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the case of a serious offender who went on the run from the open jail last week as unacceptable.
Police appeal This is making a mockery of the open prison estate Robert BrownLib Dem justice spokesman
Brian Martin, known as "The Hawk", who was serving a 10-year sentence for a firearms offence, absconded from Castle Huntly before later handing himself in.Brian Martin, known as "The Hawk", who was serving a 10-year sentence for a firearms offence, absconded from Castle Huntly before later handing himself in.
Mr MacAskill said Martin should not have been transferred there from closed prison conditions and has ordered an independent review of the case. Mr MacAskill said Martin should not have been transferred there from closed prison conditions and has ordered an independent review.
Brown was transferred to Castle Huntly in February from Shotts jail, 33 years to the day he was convicted. 57-year-old Brown was transferred to Castle Huntly in February from Shotts jail, 33 years to the day he was convicted.
He was described as about 5ft 5in tall, with short, brown hair and green eyes. He was described as about 5ft 5in, with short, brown hair and green eyes.
He is known to have family and friends in Glasgow - and anyone who knows where he is has been urged to contact police.He is known to have family and friends in Glasgow - and anyone who knows where he is has been urged to contact police.
Details of the absconding emerged just hours after First Minister Alex Slamond came under attack from opposition parties over the Hawk case.
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray accused the government of complacency, adding that Mr MacAskill's future was now "hanging by a thread".
'Dangerous offenders'
Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "I am especially concerned by the fact this murderer went missing yesterday, meaning that either Kenny MacAskill and Alex Salmond knew about it and mislead parliament at first minister's questions, or they were ignorant of the escape, which shows the depth of the crisis and how they have lost control of the system."
The Liberal Democrat's justice spokesman Robert Brown added: "A day after the justice secretary and the first minister himself assured Scotland that they had a system in place to stop dangerous offenders escaping into our communities, another inmate has walked out Castle Huntly.
"This is making a mockery of the open prison estate."
The Scottish Government ordered a tightening of the rules on open prisons in the wake of the Robert Foye case, last year.The Scottish Government ordered a tightening of the rules on open prisons in the wake of the Robert Foye case, last year.
Foye raped a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Cumbernauld after absconding while serving a sentence for attempting to murder a police officer. Foye raped a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Cumbernauld after absconding from Castle Huntly while serving a sentence for attempting to murder a police officer.