Convicted murderer who escaped from prison found after manhunt

Raymond McCourt, a prisoner at HMP Castle Huntly, was reported missing to police on Tuesday.

A convicted killer who escaped from a prison near Dundee has been found in Edinburgh.

Raymond McCourt, a prisoner at HMP Castle Huntly, was reported missing to police around 5.30pm on Tuesday after he failed to return to the open prison.

The 59-year-old was spotted 80 miles away on Duke Street in Glasgow on Tuesday after absconding from prison.

Police confirmed McCourt was detained by officers on London Road in Edinburgh on Friday and will be returned to prison.

A spokesperson said: “Officers in Edinburgh have located convicted prisoner, Raymond McCourt, who was reported missing on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after failing to return to HMP Castle Huntly.

“The 59-year-old man was detained by officers in London Road this morning, Friday, April 25, 2025. He will be returned to prison.

“Thank you to everyone who assisted us and to those members of the public who contacted us with information.

McCourt was given a life sentence in 1993 for charges including murder, attempted murder, assault and robbery, assault to severe injury and firearms offences.

The then 27-year-old was initially jailed after shooting a woman and a police officer.

He was deemed suitable for release on licence in 2015, but admitted stealing and selling off valuables within weeks of leaving prison.

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