By Graham Huband

A MAN accused of going on an armed crime spree in Dundee while on the run from Castle Huntly prison has died just days after appearing in court.

Robert Stewart Balmer, of Cumnock in Ayrshire, was found in distress on Friday evening in the Perth prison cell where he had been remanded following an appearance before a sheriff last week.

He was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where he died in the early hours of Saturday.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said an investigation was being carried out to determine exactly what had happened.

She would not comment on speculation that Balmer had attempted to commit suicide in his cell.

However, she confirmed a report into his death would be sent to the procurator fiscal at Perth and a fatal accident inquiry would be convened in due course.

Friends and family of the 23-year-old are said to have been shocked that a man on the verge of release from jail had been at the centre of a police manhunt.

It is alleged that Balmer—who was considered low risk by prison authorities and was allowed to make visits home—carried out a series of armed robberies before being recaptured.

Balmer’s father Stewart was too upset to speak about the death of his son at the weekend, but one lady in the town who knew the family said she was saddened and surprised at what had happened.

She said, “Robert had used drugs years ago, but had come off them and was doing well. He can’t have had very long left to run on his prison sentence as he had been home some weekends on release.

Balmer had a history of violence and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in 2002 after being found guilty of charges of assault, robbery and attempted robbery by the High Court in Glasgow.

He served the first part of his sentence in Greenock before being transferred to Castle Huntly in the Carse of Gowrie earlier this year.

On July 29, Balmer absconded from the open prison. BALMER’S disappearance coincided with a spate of robberies involving a single male assailant who presented a knife to his victims and demanded cash.

During the police investigation officers admitted they were potentially linking Balmer with the incidents and they warned the public not to approach him.

He was eventually recaptured in Dundee on Wednesday and appeared at the city’s sheriff court the following day on a petition alleging four offences of robbery, one of attempted robbery and one of prison breaking.

The charges related to robberies at Granville’s newsagents in Hospital Street on August 2, Haddows off-licence in Albert Street on August 6, Omar’s Grocers in Pitkerro Road on August 8 and further incidents on the same date involving a cab driver at Forfar Road taxi rank and a takeaway delivery driver in Fintryside.

He made no plea or declaration at the hearing and was remanded in custody while the case was continued.

Just a day later, Balmer was found in a serious condition in his prison cell.

His death means the legal proceedings in the robbery and prison break cases have now come to an end.