By Paul Reoch

A SHERIFF yesterday expressed his astonishment at a convict from the open prison at Castle Huntly being left alone in Ninewells Hospital following an operation.

Sheriff Edward Savage told Perth Sheriff Court that he had never heard such a case in all his time on the bench and described the attitude of the prison officers as “cavalier.”

Morano Dalfonso (32) admitted that on May 29 at Castle Huntly, having been detained at the prison following being sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court on December 22 to three years and four months for assault to severe injury, he absconded with intent to defeat the ends of justice.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson told the court that Dalfonso’s earliest release was June 24, 2008. He had been moved to the open prison at Castle Huntly from Barlinnie Prison on May 2.

However, he took ill while at Castle Huntly prison and was taken to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, for treatment.

“Two prison officers took him to the hospital on May 27 but they didn’t wait for him,” Mr Richardson said. “He was told he should make his own way back to Castle Huntly.

“The officers just seemed to disappear.

“The accused then went outside for a cigarette where he met a woman who agreed to give him money to get a bus to Glasgow.”

Paul Ralph, appearing for Dalfonso, said that his client had been taken to Ninewells for a hernia operation.

“The prison officers left him there and he had to get his own way back to Castle Huntly. While he was waiting he phoned his wife but she wasn’t home.

“He then phoned other family members before getting money to allow him to get a bus back home to Glasgow. He phoned the police once he got home and was at liberty for six hours.”

Sheriff Savage told Dalfonso, “I have heard some strange stories in my time, but nothing like this. It almost beggars belief for a prisoner to be left alone by officers.

“The officers took a cavalier attitude to keeping an eye—or in this case—not keeping an eye on you. This is a serious matter and I must impose a custodial sentence.”

Dalfonso was sentenced to 28 days in prison, running consecutively from yesterday.