Police have warned the public not to approach a convicted murderer who is reported missing from an open prison.
Raymond McCourt, who killed a shopkeeper, absconded from HMP Castle Huntly, which is in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, on Tuesday. The 59-year-old man 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.
Described as 6ft 2in, stocky, with short grey hair and a beard and has reduced mobility, McCourt has connections to the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. Police Scotland said it is likely he will have used public transport around Castle Huntly, which is just west of Dundee.
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.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said today: “Any sightings or information can be passed to officers via 101, quoting reference 2857 of 22 April, 2025. Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “I can confirm this individual is currently unlawfully at large and we are working with Police Scotland to return him to custody.”
The man was jailed in 1993 for various charges, including murder, attempted murder, assault and robbery, assault to severe injury and firearms offences. In addition to slaying Mr Mahmood, McCourt, then aged 27, also shot local woman Moira Rooney and PC Brian Williams.
Police Scotland is appealing for any information that could help to trace 59-year-old Raymond McCourt, a convicted prisoner who has absconded from HMP Castle Huntly.
He was reported missing to police around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025. Raymond uses public transport and has connections to the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. The public are being asked not to approach him.
He is described as being 6ft 2in tall, stocky build with short grey hair and beard and has reduced mobility. He was last known to be wearing a long black trench coat, grey dress trousers, a grey waistcoat, blue shirt with a red and white tie and brown shoes.
Any sightings or information can be passed to officers via 101, quoting reference 2857 of 22 April, 2025. Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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