We can’t give you details about killer’s jail release .. it might hurt his feelings
Prison service refuse to reveal truth about McIntosh
PRISON bosses are refusing to reveal details of a killer’s day release arrangements because it might cause him distress.
Robbie McIntosh bludgeoned Linda McDonald with a dumbbell while on day release for murdering another woman.
But the Scottish Prison Service rejected a Freedom of Information request for details of when McIntosh had been allowed out of jail and where he had visited.
They cited the Data Protection Act, which prevents disclosures that would cause “substantial and unwarranted damage or distress” to a criminal or his victims.
Linda’s family say they want answers, so any “distress” over the disclosures would only be suffered by McIntosh.
The 31-year-old admitted attempting to murder Linda, 52, in Templeton Woods, Dundee, in August by repeatedly striking her on the head with a dumbbell.
The mother of two suffered permanent disfigurement and will be impaired for life.
McIntosh attacked Linda after he was granted a day release from Greenock prison, where he was serving a life sentence for the murder of Anne Nicoll, 34, on Dundee Law in 2001, when he was 15. McIntosh repeatedly stabbed Anne and stamped on her face.
Linda’s family last night vented their fury at McIntosh’s details being withheld.
In a statement, they said: “Given what he has subjected our family to – and the Nicoll family – it is disgusting that he is being protected.
“We don’t know why the prison service would take any decision to protect him.
“They should be protecting our family, the Nicoll family and the public and telling us why this animal was allowed out.
“Surely with the heinous crime that Robbie McIntosh committed in 2001, more screening should have been done prior to his release this year.
“Why was this animal allowed out to injure a member of our family?”
The McDonald family added: “He should never be allowed out to subject anyone to what our family member has had to endure.
“He shouldn’t be protected. Where was the protection when McIntosh attacked our family?”
An FOI request was submitted to the Scottish Prison Service asking for details of the locations McIntosh visited during his release and the length of time he spent out of prison.
But the prison service refused to release the information.
They said McIntosh could prevent the SPS from processing his “personal data”.
Information about how many times the killer applied for parole was also withheld.
An SPS spokeswoman said the service did not comment on individual prisoners. She added that the information requested was exempt under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and said its release would contravene data protection laws.
McIntosh will be sentenced next year for the attack on Linda.
Given what he did to our family, it is disgusting he is being protected LINDA’S FAMILY