Scottish ministers were under fire on Monday after the violent past of a killer who absconded from a psychiatric hospital was not revealed to the public.
Steven Wilson has been on the run for a two weeks after he failed to return from unescorted leave to the Leverndale psychiatric hospital in Glasgow.
His history, which included severe acts of violence, was only revealed when a civil servant in the Scottish Government accidently included details in an email.
Wilson, who absconded on 30 March, was convicted of manslaughter in 1988 and has been in custody at Broadmoor, Ashworth and Carstairs hospitals.
The 47-year-old, who boasts a raft of tattoos and a large scar on his face, also absconded five years ago. Again, the public was not informed.
The email, which detailed the patient’s past, said the police had been satisfied to give the basic details about his disappearance.
Scottish Ministers were facing criticism over failing to disclose Wilson’s record.
The MSP’s Lewis Macdonald called the development “deeply worrying”, while Tory justice spokesman David McLetchie expressed concern the disappearance was “not being treated with the seriousness which it merits given his violent past and the threat he may pose”.
In the email, it was also revealed that the patient had used prostitutes during his time at the Glasgow institution.
A vice squad spokesperson said: “There is certainly a history of very serious violence in the context of alcohol abuse.”
A Government statement read: “We are increasingly concerned about the whereabouts of a restricted patient who has been missing for over two weeks.
“Steven Wilson, a restricted patient, aged 47 failed to return from a period of unescorted ground leave at Leverndale Hospital on Friday, 30 March.
“We are anxious to trace this man and if any member of the public see him they should contact Pollok Police on 0141 532 5600.”
Wilson was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, red tracksuit top, jeans and white trainers.
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