PROTECT US FROM PAROLE BLUNDERS
Victim of freed murderer launches campaign to change release system
A WOMAN nearly beaten to death by a convicted killer has launched a campaign to help victims and change parole laws.
Linda McDonald was in Templeton Woods on the outskirts of Dundee in August 2017 when she was attacked by Robbie McIntosh.
The murderer, 32, was out of jail on home leave when he launched the frenzied assault – striking her repeatedly with a dumbbell.
She was attacked almost 16 years after he killed civil servant Anne Nicoll by stabbing her 29 times.
McIntosh was only 15 when he was jailed for life for Anne’s murder on Dundee’s Law Hill.
Linda was saved by the intervention of two dog walkers, who caused McIntosh to flee the scene.
She has launched a campaign called Justice4Linda to try to change the parole system and help protect other victims.
She said: “I now want to protect others from the risk of similar scenarios and make sure all members of the public can safely visit our streets, parks, pathways and woodlands in Scotland.”
A review of the case said while there was nothing in McIntosh’s behaviour to suggest an attack was imminent, changes had to be made to the way social work, police and prison bosses communicate about violent offenders.
The Scottish Government said: “We want a system of release which has risk assessment and victim safety at its heart and we will continue to take the necessary steps to help deliver this.
“We remain clear prison is needed for those who pose a risk of serious harm.”
The Scottish Prison Service said it was profoundly sorry for what happened to Linda.