A CONVICTED killer has denied going on the run from an Angus jail.

John Thomas Bowden (51), HMP Noranside, Fern, by Forfar, yesterday appeared from custody before Sheriff Kevin Veal following his arrest by Strathclyde Police at the end of last week.

Through his agent, John Clancy, Bowden denied that on May 15 at Castle Street, Forfar, having been sentenced to life imprisonment on January 15, 1982, at the Old Bailey, London, he failed to comply with a temporary release licence allowing him to travel to Forfar for a shopping trip.

The charge alleges he failed to return to the designated pick-up point and failed to return to HMP Noranside with intent to pervert the course of justice, and did attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Sheriff Veal set trial for August 5 and ordered Bowden to appear.

Bowden, sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for the murder of a park-keeper, was the subject of nationwide police appeals before his arrest last Friday in the Clydebank area.