Missing prisoner sightings probed

The prisoner was allowed out on day release

A number of reported sightings of a prisoner who absconded while on a work placement are being investigated by police.

Gordon Johnstone failed, 43, failed to return to Edinburgh's Saughton Jail while taking part in a programme called Training for Freedom.

He has been on the run since Saturday, but his disappearance was only made public on Tuesday, prompting calls for an inquiry.

The Training for Freedom programme is designed to re-integrate inmates into society and involves work placements and allocating them time away from jail to spend with their families.

Gordon Johnstone: History of violence

Lothian and Borders Police now say a number of reported sightings, as far apart as the West Coast and Angus in the East, are being investigated.

Police have warned that Johnstone, who is suspected of carrying out an assault on an elderly woman, should not be approached.

Johnstone, from Glasgow, was sentenced at Edinburgh High Court in 1990 for crimes of dishonesty and violence.

He is described as white, 6ft, with short light brown hair, clean shaven and of medium build.

Johnstone was last seen wearing a dark baseball cap, dark bomber-style jacket, dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt.