A convicted killer has admitted attempting to murder a woman in Dundee’s Templeton Woods.
Robbie McIntosh, 31, of Rowan Place, Bridgefoot, was just 15 when he stabbed civil servant Anne Nicoll, 34, a total of 29 times in a frenzied attack in 2001.
The Tele revealed in August 2016 that McIntosh was being allowed to leave jail on job placements – despite public concerns.
Today at the High Court in Edinburgh McIntosh has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Linda McDonald, who was walking her dog in Templeton Woods on August 7.
Sentence has been deferred to November 29.
He owned up to repeatedly striking her on the head and body with a dumbbell to her permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of her life.
In August last year, critics said it was “far too soon” for McIntosh to be out in public again.
Sentencing McIntosh in 2002 for the murder of Anne Nicoll, Judge Lord Bonomy told him he would be detained in custody without limit of time and ordered him to serve a minimum of 15 years for what he described as an “extremely violent” attack.
One source told the Tele: “He is dangerous. A sick individual.
“It’s horrifying to think he will one day be released for good.
“It’s not right. He’s a monster.”
Former MSP Alex Johnstone said at the time: “The problem with the justice system in Scotland is that it leans too heavily in favour of criminals. Cases like this highlight that.
“It’s bound to have an impact on the family of the victim.
“It’s clearly far too soon to have someone like this out in public, however important it is that we try to rehabilitate offenders.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service had told the Tele that “rigorous risk assessments” were carried out before prisoners can be out in public again.
She said: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.
“Prior to commencement of any placement, we would undertake rigorous risk assessments, both in terms of the work being undertaken and the individual on placement.
“Work placements can help test individuals in the community prior to release.”
McIntosh blamed a friend for killing Ms Nicoll. However, he was found guilty of murdering her by stabbing her with a knife or similar instrument and stamping on her face.
Ms Nicoll, of Byron Street, Dundee, suffered wounds to the neck, face, head, back, chest, abdomen and left arm during the frenzied attack as she walked her Airedale terrier, Sophie.
Anne NicollMcIntosh, a former Harris Academy pupil, had been smoking cannabis and alarmed three walkers on the Law with his odd behaviour shortly before killing Ms Nicoll.
Following McIntosh’s conviction in 2002, it was revealed by an anonymous member of staff at Harris Academy that the youngster had been a “walking nightmare” at the school and was eventually kicked out after claims he was a bully and regularly insulted staff.
https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/womans-killer-allowed-prison-work/
https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/police-issue-statement-concerns-raised-templeton-woods/
https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/police-called-dundees-templeton-woods-due-ongoing-incident/
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