Inquiry into murderer's hospital escape

AN INQUIRY is under way into how an "extremely dangerous" convicted murderer, armed with a makeshift knife, was able to escape during a hospital visit.

George McGeoch, 36, serving a life sentence for murder and abduction, went on the run on Tuesday afternoon after he allegedly threatened Reliance escort staff with the weapon while keeping an appointment at Perth Royal Infirmary.

McGeoch, from Glasgow, was arrested yesterday morning after being spotted by police in the city. He is due to appear in court today.

Reliance, which has been responsible for several previous escort blunders, was yesterday under the spotlight as the Scottish Prison Service launched an investigation.

Paul Martin MSP, Labour's community safety spokesman, said: "We need to find out what happened and make sure lessons are learned."