Murderer went on run from open prison
A convicted murderer who went on the run from an open prison after being told all his privileges were being withdrawn phoned Castle Huntly to tell them he would“be back”.
But 36-year-old Andrew Sharkey was“overtaken by events,”his lawyer told Perth Sheriff Court - and he was arrested by police at a female friend’s house shortly before midnight the following day.
His 36-hour taste of freedom earned him an extra eight months behind bars after he admitted absconding from the Longforgan jail on June 30 this year and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Sharkey had been given a life sentence, with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 11 years, at Edinburgh High Court in June 2003.
He admitted brutally stabbing Shahid Khan, who was just 17, in the heart at a party in Wallace Gait, Perth.
As the victim lay dying in a pool of blood, Sharkey turned to Khan’s 17-year-old fiancee at the time and said:“I done it for you, babe. I done it for you.”
The High Court heard that he thought the teenager fancied him, rather than Mr Khan, of Glenogle Crescent.
Depute fiscal John Malpass told the Perth court this week that Sharkey had been transferred to Castle Huntly on April 25 but hadn’t been granted a temporary leave licence.
That meant he wasn’t authorised to leave the prison grounds.
The alarm was raised by another prisoner about 17.40pm on June 30 but despite a search of all the cells, prison buildings and grounds, he couldn’t be found.
A review of CCTV showed him going into the kitchens at 16.44 and leaving two minutes later. There are a number of exits from the open prison and not all are covered by cameras.
It emerged that a taxi had gone to Shore Terrace, Invergowrie, to collect a fare about 6.10pm.
The accused was covered in mud and said he had become stuck at the shore near Kingoodie.
The accused was dropped off at the Strath Bar in the Hilltown area of Dundee.
He was still in a dishevelled state and covered in mud but a bar customer, who was unknown to him, invited him back to his flat where his clothes were washed.
Sharkey stayed that night at a friend’s, after telling him he was on home leave, and left the following morning about 10am.
The accused then contacted another friend, whom he hadn’t been in touch with for some six years, and persuaded her to let him stay at her home overnight.
He confirmed at that time that he was“on the run,”added Mr Malpass.
“The accused made his way to that address but about 11.35pm, as a result of inquiries, police attended and he was traced within.”
Solicitor Paul Ralph explained that Sharkey became“upset”after being told all his privileges were being withdrawn, along with his community work placement.
Imposing the eight months behind bars, Sheriff Gillian Wade told him:“You are very well aware of the prison rules.” Glen Wilson is led from court