Prisoner ‘escape’

A Shotts prisoner being treated at University Hospitalwishaw jumped out of his wheelchair and made a bid for freedom.

Convicted armed robbertaylor Wright raced through the grounds as his guards gave chase.

When they caught up with him, Wright, still wearing a handcuff, lashed out at a prison officers, striking him on the head.

Wright, 24, had 19 months added to his sentence when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

He admitted trying to escape from custody on March 22. He also admitted assaulting a prison officer but his not guilty plea to a charge of attempting to punch another guard was accepted.

Wright is serving five years for assaulting and robbing a woman aged 80 at her home near Selkirk in 2015.

Michael Macintosh, prosecuting, said he was taken from prison to the hospital for treatment to self inflicted wounds.

He said:“after examinationwright was discharged and as he was being escorted from the hospital he was handcuffed and seated on a wheelchair.

“He jumped out of the wheelchair and ran off through the hospital grounds.

“Prison officers chased him, but as they gained ground he turned and aimed a blow at his victim.”

Wright’s lawyer, Gerry Mcguire, said his client hadn’t been due for release until February 2020 and had been suffering from depression.

He was taken to hospital due to wounds which required 30 stitches.

Mcguire told the court:“he had been suffering from depression and had received medication from a GP within the prison.”