By Dave Lord

CRIEFF FOLK have reacted furiously to this week’s visit by notorious killer Robert Mone.

They were amazed to read yesterday’s Courier front page story, which told how the Dundee killer smiled and joked as he spent Wednesday afternoon window shopping.

The revelation shocked residents, including shop worker Mairhi Donaldson, who insisted the brutal killer should have been “left to rot” in jail.

Politicians last night branded the sun-soaked trip to Crieff “shocking, mind-boggling and horrific,” and locals were of broadly the same opinion.

Ms Donaldson was appalled that Crieff was chosen as a destination for the infamous killer.

“People should have been warned about this visit—it is just appalling to think he was walking among us,” she said.

“Why on earth was he allowed to come to Crieff? I wonder who thought that would be a good idea.

“I feel they should have thrown away the key. He should have been left to rot in jail.”

Jenny Gauld shared such concerns, branding the decision to bring Mone to Crieff “scandalous.”

“He should clearly never be allowed out of jail and I would like to know what on earth the Scottish Prison Service was thinking of when they brought him to Crieff,” she told The Courier.

“I am not at all happy that he was wandering around the town.

“There is no way he should have been here—or anywhere in public.

“I suppose they thought nobody would recognise him in Crieff but that does not make it okay.”

Pensioner Donald Comrie was also surprised to learn details of the trip.

“It is difficult to know what to say. I just hope he was well supervised,” he said.

“What he did was utterly terrible and you have to wonder if he is still a threat.”

Mr Comrie’s daughter Jackie Comrie was similarly concerned.

“It is hard to imagine how someone like that could have changed but I suppose he needs to get out and about,” she added.

Other locals were less charitable.

“It is absolutely despicable,” one remarked.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of this place and yet convicted killers are free to come and visit. What sort of message does that give out?

“Why on earth anybody would think somebody like that deserves a nice day out in Crieff is beyond me.”

A woman out shopping said, “I am disgusted by this.

“It is extremely shocking and I do not think it is at all appropriate.”

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith branded Mone a “monster” and said she could fully understand the fears of local people.

“I am simply appalled by this and the public have every right to feel the same,” she said.

“People would be horrified to think that sort of monster is wandering around the streets of Crieff in the middle of the holiday season with ordinary people and their families.

“It is mind-boggling— exactly the kind of decision that makes people feel very uneasy about the justice system as a whole.”

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham agreed, saying, “It is a matter of concern ... and a huge risk.”