Public Alerted After Sex Offender Escapes From Hartwood

A dangerous sex offender was on the loose last night after escaping from a hospital. William Graham, 33, escaped from Hartwoodhill Hospital in Shotts, Lanarkshire, yesterday afternoon. Strathclyde Police warned he is a high-risk sex offender, potentially violent, and is not to be approached by any member of the public.

It comes two days after Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary, proposed measures to ensure that sex offenders were properly monitored and traced when they abscond.

Graham, detained at Hartwoodhill under a Compulsory Treatment Order, was last seen at 1pm yesterday. He needs regular medication as part of his care. The hospital provides long-term care for patients with mental illness. Graham is described as 5ft 7in tall, of slim build, with blue eyes, pale complexion and a shaven head. When last seen he was wearing a dark-blue suit jacket, yellow shirt and blue jeans.

Police said his last known address was in the Carluke area of Lanarkshire and he is known to frequent North and South Lanarkshire but may have travelled beyond this area. A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: “The public are advised not to approach Mr Graham, but to get in touch with the nearest police office.”

On Thursday Mr MacAskill proposed using satellite technology to trace sex offenders after their release and to publish their pictures on the internet if they do not comply with their registration conditions. The proposals follow discussion between the SNP and Tories.