Knife attacker absconds from Castle Huntly prison

A VIOLENT criminal who stabbed a man only days after he was released from a previous prison sentence has gone on the run from Scotland’s only open jail.

Dennis Adams, 29, was sentenced to six years imprisonment in February 2009, after being convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh of assault to severe injury and robbery.

Adams, who was originally charged with attempted murder, plunged a knife into his victim’s chest after luring him to a lane in Aberdeen after being approached about selling drugs. Adams had previously been jailed for 16 months for assault and robbery, but was released after serving half the sentence – nine days before the Aberdeen attack.

He has now gone on the run from Castle Huntly open prison on the outskirts of Dundee after being granted a period of home leave.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said: “Tayside Police are appealing for information that could help to trace the whereabouts of a 29 year-old prisoner who failed to return to HMP Castle Huntly, by Dundee, following a period of home leave.

“Dennis Adams failed to return to the prison when expected to yesterday after being granted temporary release to his home town of Aberdeen.”

The spokesman continued: “Adams was sentenced to six years imprisonment in February 2009 after being convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh of assault to severe injury and robbery. He transferred to the open estate in October last year. He is 6ft tall, with brown coloured hair and blue eyes. He has tattoos on both arms – a series of numbers on his left arm and what is described as a ‘Nirvana face’ on his right arm.”

He added: “ Adams is known to have family and associates in the Aberdeen area. Anyone who has seen Adams or who knows where he is now should call Tayside Police.”