Police Scotland is appealing for any information that could help to trace 59-year-old Raymond McCourt, a convicted prisoner who has absconded from HMP Castle Huntly.
He was reported missing to police around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025.
Raymond uses public transport and has connections to the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. The public are being asked not to approach him.
He is described as being 6ft 2in tall, stocky build with short grey hair and beard and has reduced mobility.
He was last known to be wearing a long black trench coat, grey dress trousers, a grey waistcoat, blue shirt with a red and white tie and brown shoes.
Police Scotland have shared new CCTV images of an absconded prisoner. Officers are continuing to appeal for any information that could help to trace 59-year-old Raymond McCourt, a convicted prisoner serving his sentence at HMP Castle Huntly. He was reported missing to police around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025 after he failed to return to the open prison.
The last confirmed sighting of him is at a premises in Duke Street, Glasgow at 4.40pm on Tuesday.
He was now last seen wearing a checked red, white and blue shirt, a checked baseball cap and a rain jacket.
Raymond uses public transport and has connections to the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. The public are being asked not to approach him.
He is described as being 6ft 2in tall, stocky build with short grey hair and beard and has reduced mobility.
Any sightings or information can be passed to officers via 101, quoting reference 2857 of 22 April, 2025.
Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Any sightings or information can be passed to officers via 101, quoting reference 2857 of 22 April, 2025.
Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Civic, faith, trade unions and political leaders commit to action
Scotland’s democracy is at its best when our communities come together.
The values our Parliament was built upon – wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity – are under threat, but they are worth fighting for and that’s exactly what I’ll do. pic.twitter.com/a1BdUiadkI
Civic, faith, trade union and political leaders have committed to taking action to safeguard Scotland’s democracy and tackle people’s feeling of being unheard and disempowered.
At a gathering of representatives from across society, the First Minister described the pledge as demonstrating a ‘strength of unity’ which reflects the democratic values felt by communities across the country.
Today’s event saw more than 50 leaders meet in Glasgow to assess the robustness of Scotland’s democratic system. Across the day, there were focused discussions, moderated by civic leaders, on four key themes which are contributing to a breakdown in democratic trust, including:
combating inequality and discrimination
tackling disinformation and ensuring a trusted media environment
enhancing trust in politics and boosting the accountability of political leaders and democratic institutions
strengthening vigilance to electoral interference and encouraging more active democratic participation
Following discussions, participants considered a mission statement that seeks to provide a framework that can underpin specific actions and solutions to help tackle some of the issues identified.
The statement reads:
STRENGTHENING AND PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguard Scotland’s democracy.
We recognise many people in our country feel distant from politics or failed by society. They feel unheard and disempowered.
We recognise also that much of our public discourse has become polarised and soured.
Our starting point has been a recognition of that reality and, alongside this, a recognition also that the solutions, which will be manifold and complex, require a collective response.
We have a shared responsibility to map a way forward for Scotland, which is why we are committed to working together to ensure that our democratic structures evolve to meet our democratic ideals and are both trusted and robust.
There are certain fundamental principles and values that are already part of our understanding of Scottish democracy, rooted in the creation of the Scottish Parliament, that we believe should shape and guide our work.
These are:
Participation and openness
The sharing of power
Accountability
Equal opportunity
We stand together on these principles and values, recognising that they offer both a foundation on which to build and markers to guide this next stage of our nation’s democratic journey.
I pledge my support.
“By reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding democracy in Scotland, we have demonstrated a strength of unity which will guide us in our actions.”
Speaking after the event, First Minister John Swinney said: “Our discussion was incredibly powerful and equally inspiring.
“I am grateful to the many representatives from across Scottish society who shared their honest reflections on the challenges we face, alongside their absolute determination to work together to ensure we stand up for the values and principles we hold so dear.
“Today’s event is a pivotal moment for Scotland as we demonstrate our shared commitment to democracy but to make that a reality, we must now work at pace to ensure targeted action delivers results.
“By coming together, we have started that process, with all participants committed to developing actions that can address some of the root causes of the challenges facing our country. I pledge my government’s absolute support for that work, to ensure we leave no stone unturned in identifying solutions and empowering the disempowered who so often feel left behind.
“We can only protect the rights of each citizen, if we protect, strengthen and renew our democratic values. By reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding democracy in Scotland, we have demonstrated a strength of unity which will guide us in our actions.”
Following the gathering, political and civic leaders taking part in the press conference pledged their support for the statement. They are:
Anas Sarwar MSP – Leader, Scottish Labour
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP – Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Patrick Harvie MSP – Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party
Lorna Slater MSP – Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party Leader
Ash Regan MSP – Alba parliamentary leader
Roz Foyer – General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress
Sara Thiam – Chief Executive of Prosper
All delegates attending the gathering have been invited to take the statement to their organisation to seek agreement for pledging their support. Work will now be developed in partnership with participants to ensure actions are agreed and taken forward.
