Prisoner who absconded from Castle Huntly gets six more months in jail

Last month Kenneth Tait was within reach of liberation.

Now the 47-year-old is facing a lengthier stay in prison after absconding for almost two weeks. Sheriff Lindsay Foulis added six months to his sentence on Wednesday.

Perth Sheriff Court heard how Tait had been allowed out for the day on June 25 and had headed to Edinburgh to secure accommodation ahead of his proposed early release.

He met with a friend, however, telling them he had no intention of returning to HMP Castle Huntly, near Longforgan as he feared for his safety.

Tait, who was jailed for six years in 2011 after duping a series of women out of £155,000, said he would end up harming himself.

As a result, his friend called the Scottish Prison Service, advising them of the accused’s intentions.

When he failed to appear at the rendezvous point as arranged, a warrant was issued for his arrest and Tait was eventually traced on July 12 at a park in Edinburgh.

Solicitor Billy Somerville said: “He was due for a parole hearing on July 4. As a result of him not returning, he has effectively lengthened his sentence considerably.”