Drug thug ‘Lugs’ in fire alarm prison break Enforcer hatched elaborate plot after fearing for his life
A drug baron used a fire alarm as a distraction and organised a getaway car to stage a jail break.
Gangland enforcer Sean “Lugs” McGovern spent more than a week on the run after hatching the elaborate plot.
Members of the public were warned to stay clear of McGovern because of the danger he posed after fleeing Castle Huntly jail, near Dundee.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard McGovern, who was granted several home leaves despite the danger he posed, fled after hearing his life was in danger.
Prosecutor Joanne Ritchie told the court: “On June 11, 2023 – prior to absconding – he was involved in an altercation with another prisoner.”
After the incdent he made five phone calls to “a known associate”.
“At 8.55pm the fire alarm was activated. The accused exited his room and the building via the fire exit door. He descended the stairs and ran in the opposite direction to the muster point.
“Staff noticed the accused did not attend the muster point and a search was carried out. A witness saw a small white car speeding away from the area along a farm track.
“CCTV was reviewed and showed the accused heading across the grounds and out of sight.”
McGovern, 40, of Edinburgh, admitted absconding and spending eight days on the run before handing himself in to HMP Shotts on June 19.
Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “The presence of a getaway vehicle shows the offence was significantly pre-meditated.”
He jailed McGovern for 10 months to run alongside his existing sentence.
McGovern was caged for more than 16 years in 2009 for heroin dealing and a gun attack in Edinburgh.