A murderer who brutally killed a woman on Dundee Law when he was a teenager is being let out from prison on work placements in preparation for possible release.
Robbie McIntosh was just 15 when he stabbed civil servant Anne Nicoll, 34, a total of 29 times in a frenzied attack in 2001.
He was detained in custody without limit and Judge Lord Bonomy said he must serve a minimum of 15 years.
Miss Nicoll, of Byron Street, Dundee, suffered wounds to the neck, face, head, back, chest, abdomen and left arm during the attack.
Her body was later found in woodland by her partner Gordon McKenzie who had gone looking for Ms Nicoll.
Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, who represents North East Scotland, said it was “far too soon” for McIntosh to be out in public again.
He said: “The problem with the justice system in Scotland is that it leans too heavily in favour of criminals. Cases like this highlight that.
“It’s bound to have an impact on the family of the victim. It’s clearly far too soon to have someone like this out in public, however important it is that we try to rehabilitate offenders.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service said “rigorous risk assessments” were carried out before prisoners can be out in public again.
She said: “We do not comment on individual prisoners. Prior to commencement of any placement, we would undertake rigorous risk assessments, both in terms of the work being undertaken and the individual on placement.
“Work placements can help test individuals in the community prior to release.”
The court heard that McIntosh, a former Harris Academy pupil, had been smoking cannabis and alarmed three walkers on the Law with his odd behaviour shortly before he killed Miss Nicoll.
Following McIntosh’s conviction in 2002, it was revealed by an anonymous member of staff at Harris Academy that the youngster had been a “walking nightmare” at the school and was eventually kicked out after claims he was a bully and regularly insulted staff.
McIntosh had tried to blame his friend Robbie Soutar for the killing.
