| Convicted fraudster Derek Watson (42) is the latest in a long line of convicts to abscond from Scotland’s open estate prisons and shadow cabinet secretary for justice Bill Aitken said, although Watson had failed to con the sheriff who sentenced him to almost five years’ imprisonment, he had succeeded in outsmarting the SPS who, “appear to be much more gullible”.
Since 2005, Watson, formerly of Cunningham Street, has been found guilty of 25 counts of fraud, including duping one unwitting householder out of more than £40,000.
He preyed on the elderly and vulnerable under the guise of a guttering repair man and was completing his sentence before going on the run on Tuesday morning.
Mr Aitken went on, “One can only wait to see when he decides to return to the Castle Huntly ‘country club’.
“The amount of money and resources wasted trying to catch these people is frankly a national scandal.”
A statement released by police last night said, “Derek Watson failed to return to HM Castle Huntly on October 7, having been released on home leave.
“Inquiries are ongoing to trace him within various addresses in Dundee.
“We would appeal to anyone who has any information about his whereabouts to contact police as soon as possible.”
Watson appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court in October 2005 on a 20-charge indictment.
He was jailed for 16 months and ordered to pay £19,090 compensation after admitting the charges.
He returned to court twice on similar charges, including May last year, when he was jailed for 59 months.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service said, “We can’t comment on the situation, as it is now a police matter.”
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr Watson should call police immediately on 0845 600 5705 or speak to any officer. |
