Serial robber William Carlin fails to return to Castle Huntly prison

A serial robber once foiled by a supermarket door is being hunted by police after failing to return to Castle Huntly prison.

William Carlin, who police say should not be approached, was on temporary leave and was last seen near Kings Cross Hospital in Dundee at 9am on Thursday.

The 52-year-old is described as being 5ft 11in, of slim build, with short brown or grey hair and blue/grey eyes.

He has connections to the Ayrshire area.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “If seen, members of the public should not approach him and should contact Police Scotland on 101.”

Carlin was jailed in 2013 after a robbery attempt at a Prestwick supermarket the previous October was foiled when a door did not open fast enough during his getaway. He had armed himself with an axe and almost escaped with a security box containing £40,000.

He has previous convictions for robbery in 1997, 2001 and 2007. The last one saw him prevented by a handbag-wielding 71-year-old grandmother, who told a court: “I’d face the devil. I’ve raised a big family and I am afraid of nobody.”

Anyone with information on his whereaouts can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.