One of Scotland’s most notorious killers has been on day release from prison in the centre of Dundee.
Axe murderer Thomas McCulloch (63), who killed two people during a hospital rampage in 1976, enjoyed a day out last week.
Using a walking stick, he was accompanied by another man on his day release from Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee.
He laughed and joked as he made his way around the city centre, having earlier been dropped off at the Seagate bus station.
McCulloch spent over an hour in the Wellgate Centre, surrounded by shoppers oblivious to his horrific acts of violence, and was seen in Murraygate.
Councillor Liz Fordyce, whose ward includes the city centre, said she was ”shocked and horrified” at news of McCulloch’s appearance in the city.
She said: ”I think it is shameful that he is allowed into Dundee, especially given his connection with Robert Mone.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: ”We do not comment on individual prisoners. However, all prisoners are assessed before they progress to the open estate and we apply the strictest possible criteria.”
McCulloch was denied parole earlier this year, but is allowed individual days of release.
His reputation as one of Scotland’s most notorious killers dates back to a winter day 35 years ago when he and Dundee killer Robert Mone went on the rampage after escaping from Carstairs state hospital.
They killed nurse Neil MacLellan, Carstairs patient Ian Simpson and policeman George Taylor before they were eventually recaptured.
While on the run, the pair also maimed two workmen and held a family hostage.
Prior to his escape with Mone, McCulloch had been sent to the state hospital after trying to kill two hotel workers following a row over a sandwich in 1970.