Killer flees from security guards

George McGeoch, who was serving a life sentence for offences including murder and abduction, had been attending a planned appointment at Perth Infirmary.

The 36-year-old, originally from the Glasgow area, absconded from two members of escort staff and made off on foot at about 1530 GMT.

A police spokesman said McGeoch should not be approached.

Police officers are carrying out door to door enquiries in Perth and are studying CCTV footage, as well as monitoring various roads in and out of the city and bus and rail stations.

McGeoch is described as 5ft 9ins, stocky, with very short ginger hair and a ginger Mexican-style moustache.

At the time he was wearing a light t-shirt and dark jogging bottoms.

It is believed McGeoch had recently been moved from Perth prison to HMP Dumfries.

McGeoch was sentenced to life at the High Court in Inverness in April 1999 for the murder of Eric Innes, a 61-year-old bakery worker, by slashing his throat and trying to burn his body.

In 2002 he took took two nurses hostage in his cell at Saughton Prison during a five-hour siege.

Private security firm Reliance is responsible for Scotland's prison escort service.