Murderer absconds from open jail

Bowden's victim was cut up while he was still alive

A man who decapitated his victim then kept his head in the fridge has gone on the run from an open prison after being allowed on a shopping trip to Forfar.

John Bowden, 51, failed to return to HMP Noranside in Angus on Thursday.

Bowden, who was due to be considered for parole later this month, was originally jailed in England in 1982.

He had been ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years for using a machete, saw and electric carving knife to cut up his victim while he was still alive.

Parts of the victim's body were hidden on waste ground and streets near the flat in Camberwell in London and his severed head was stored in a fridge before being dumped in a dustbin.

Horrendous murder

Two other men were convicted along with Bowden but he received the longest sentence.

At the time, the judge said it was a horrendous murder and he was a potential menace to the public at large.

In 1992, while being held at Maidstone jail in Kent, Bowden went on the run during a compassionate visit to his sick father.

He was later recaptured and transferred to Scotland in 1995 where he was held at a number of jails before being transferred to Noranside in October 2007.

On Thursday he was allowed on a shopping trip with other prisoners from Noranside but did not return.

Bowden is 5ft 7in tall, of medium build, with grey/white receding hair.

He has a fair complexion, deep set blue eyes and has a tattoo on his right arm which says "Ireland the Brave".

When last seen he was wearing prison issue blue-coloured denim jeans.

Police are studying the CCTV system in Forfar to try to find him.

British Transport Police and other forces are also involved in the operation.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said the public should not approach Bowden.

He added: "John Bowden is unlawfully at large. If anyone is aware of his whereabouts, they should contact the police."