The murderer of Kelty toddler Madison Horn plotted to abduct a female prison warden while behind bars.
Killer Kevin Park, 29, reportedly teamed up with fellow inmate Steven Davidson, 25, for the failed plan, which was thwarted in its early stages by prison officers.
Park is serving a minimum of 22 years for the brutal murder of two-year-old Madison at her Kelty home in April 2014.
A source told a national newspaper the pair were rumbled when another convict left an anonymous note for bosses at Dumfries Prison.
“I dread to think what these monsters would have done,” said the source.
“This was terrifying for the woman targeted. This letter from the other prisoner detailed the plans to take her hostage. As soon as the authorities got word they acted quickly.
“Their motive was unclear but given their past crimes it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Madison suffered 65 separate injuries in a horrific attack in the house on Croftangry Road where she lived with her mother.
Madison’s mother had left the toddler with Park, her former boyfriend, while she was at a party.
But instead of looking after the little girl, he battered her head off a wall twice and punched and stamped on her.
Prosecutors also believe he beat her with a broken pool cue.
Among the injuries she sustained were a fractured skull, tearing to her liver and internal bleeding.
Park, who was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow, had 38 previous convictions, including a number for violence.
He and Davidson were said to have been put into solitary confinement after their plot was uncovered.
Davidson has since been transferred to Saughton Prison in Edinburgh. He was jailed for shaking a six-week-old baby and leaving her brain damaged in 2012.
The insider added: “It’s sickening to think these two bonded after what they have done to kids.
“They are reviled by other cons and it looks like one of the inmates could not stand by and do nothing after hearing what they were up to.”
Police Scotland said the pair’s plot was not being investigated.
The Scottish Prison Service said it was aware of the story but could not comment on individuals.
