'I offered axe killer a lift'

Published 31 Aug 2010 09:30

A WOMAN has spoken of the “sickening” realisation that the new neighbour she offered a lift to in her car was axe murderer Thomas McCulloch.

Residents of Strathclyde Road in Dumbarton are furious that the a man once described as “an incurable psychopath” had been living in their quiet street.

An angry and upset Patricia Gordon, 56, who thought the well-dressed McCulloch looked like a teacher, said: “I saw him walking and offered him a lift up the hill - I do that with anyone that has a walking stick.

“I’m a nervous wreck - I feel sick.

“I just cannot believe who they are putting in here - they just don’t care.”

McCulloch killed a nurse and a patient shortly before escaping Carstairs high security mental hospital in 1976, with his lover Robert Mone.

While out, the pair went on a six-hour terror spree which left a policeman dead.

The gruesome pair also attacked two workmen and held a family hostage in their home before being caught.

A judge at the time told both killers they would die in jail, but they used European human rights laws to overturn the “whole life” tariffs.

Their sentences were changed to minimum of 30 years and both have been eligible for parole since 2006.

As McCulloch is from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) has been tasked with homing him.

Deemed as not a risk to the public, McCulloch has been spending three days at a time at a homeless residency on Strathclyde Road on a staggered release programme.

Previous stays at Risk Street, Dumbarton, became public knowledge last year, causing outrage, and alternative arrangements had to be put in place.

Ronnie McColl, WDC leader, said: “The problem is that we have a duty to house this man and we can’t get out of that.

“All we can do is make sure that the proper checks are put in place when he is out and our Social Work department will liaise with the police to make sure that everything goes well."

A WDC spokeswoman said: “Public safety is always the main priority in all cases and whilst it remains the main priority, a balance is required between public safety and the rights of the individual.

“All aspects of cases are carefully considered at every stage of the process.

“Appropriate measures are put in place to manage individuals in the community and these are monitored by dedicated police officers and officials from partner organisations.”

MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The news that Thomas McCulloch has been secretly living in Dumbarton once again is very troubling. Only a short while ago, comments from criminal justice professionals showed that they believed McCulloch to still pose a clear and present danger to the public. If that is the case and he is still a danger to others, why is he being released?

“I am writing to the Parole Board asking them to review his case as a matter of urgency.”

Tweet

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 31 Aug 10

Follow @dumbartonreport

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.