Police apprehend missing patient

Michael Ferguson absconded from the state hospital

Police have confirmed that a man detained by officers in Coatbridge is Michael Ferguson, who absconded from the State Hospital at Carstairs.

The 36-year-old absconded while on unescorted leave in East Kilbride from Carstairs on Monday.

Ferguson had been out to see his fiancée Annabella Holmes, 47, whom he met when she was a patient there.

Ferguson slashed a man in a doctors' surgery in 1994, leaving his victim needing 21 stitches to his face.

Report demanded

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "At about 0920, police received a report of a male fitting the description of Michael Ferguson in the Townhead area of Coatbridge.

"Police officers responded to this, and after a short chase, apprehended the male at about 1000, who was later confirmed as Michael Ferguson.

"He is currently being escorted back to Carstairs State Hospital. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

Ferguson was tracked down to a garden after being spotted

The Scottish Executive confirmed that Ferguson had been returned to the state hospital.

First Minister Jack McConnell has already ordered a report on the decision to allow Ferguson to go on a visit unguarded.

Speaking in parliament during First Minister's Questions Time, Mr McConnell announced a review of procedures surrounding unescorted leave for patients at Carstairs.

He said current procedures required him to personally authorise all permanent releases and transfers from Carstairs as well as unescorted leave for any life prisoners or sex offenders detained there - neither of which applied to Ferguson.

Procedural review

"Those other periods of unescorted leave of absence are currently approved by expert officials on our behalf," he explained.

"I do believe, given the incidents of this week, that those provisions should be reviewed.

"I do not count out the possibility that the arrangements may be changed to secure prior ministerial approval for unescorted periods of leave of absence.

"But I would also want a system that operates effectively."