Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Police hunt convicted killer missing from Scottish prison

Raymond McCourt, 59, was reported missing from HMP Castle Huntly.

Ruby Cline
Wednesday 23 April 2025 22:59 BST
Police are hunting for a missing prisoner (PA)
Police are hunting for a missing prisoner (PA) (PA Archive)

Police are hunting for a convicted murderer who has gone missing from an open prison in Scotland.

Raymond McCourt, 59, was reported missing from HMP Castle Huntly at 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Police have warned the public not to approach him.

He is described as 6ft 2in, stocky, with short grey hair and a beard and has reduced mobility.

He uses public transport, with connections to the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas, Police Scotland said.

He was last known to be wearing a long black trench coat, grey dress trousers, a grey waistcoat, a blue shirt with a red and white tie and brown shoes.

McCourt was jailed for life in 1993 for the murder of shopkeeper Khalid Mahmood and for shooting a woman and a police officer.

He was released in 2015 but returned to prison after being convicted for theft.

Any sightings or information can be passed to police via 101, quoting reference 2857.

Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in