A frantic search is underway to trace a prisoner who has absconded from an open Scots jail sparking a manhunt.
Police are currently trying to trace convict Sean McGovern, who absconded from HMP Castle Huntly, near Dundee, at 10pm yesterday. He has not been seen or heard from since.
While searches remain ongoing, members of the public have been asked not to approach the 39-year-old. Instead, anyone who has seen Sean or anyone who may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact Police Scotland.
Sean, otherwise known as 'Lugs', is currently serving a 16-year sentence for drug dealing and a pub shooting in the Broomhouse area of Edinburgh in 2008. In 2016, as he awaited a bus back to prison, he was ambushed in a gangland attack in the heart of the capital, where he was slashed with a blade in broad daylight in front of terrified tourists.
We reported at the time how injured McGovern, also covered in blood, went on to chase the hitmen as they fled the scene. And in 2020, he was hauled back into the dock after spitting on the face of a prison guard.
In his latest court appearance, McGovern, of Edinburgh, admitted assaulting the guard in a segregation unit at Shotts in November 2018. Police say the prisoner continues to have connections to the Edinburgh area. He is described as white, 5ft 8in, of a stocky build, bald and has a scar on his right cheek.
He is believed to have been wearing a dark woollen hat, a dark long-sleeve jacket or jumper, light coloured trousers and light-coloured trainers - possibly grey.
Anyone who has seen Sean or has information that could help is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference 4025 of the Sunday, June 11, 2023. Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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