A series of errors led to a dangerous convict going on the run from an open prison, a report has revealed.

Brian ‘the Hawk’ Martin was moved from Shotts jail to the open estate at Castle Huntly despite clear warnings in his case files about his criminal history and previous escapes.

The report, ordered by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill after the escape in May and published on Thursday, found that police intelligence was "overlooked or ignored" by nine members of the group who recommended Martin's move.

The decision to move 51-year-old Martin - who was serving ten years for firearms offences - was taken before police replied to the prison with concerns over his history with firearms and escapes.

Old forms, which should have been replaced following a previous review of the system, were used to work out how suitable he was for the open estate.

Professor Alec Spencer’s report called for final decisions on transfers to be taken by a governor or deputy governor.

This would reform the existing system, which has no single person who "steps back and reviews the case as a whole".

GPS tagging of long-term inmates in the open estate should also be considered, the report argues, by the prison service.

The recommendations come one year after another inmate, Robert Foye, raped a schoolgirl after going on the run from the same jail.

Martin had also absconded from Noranside open prison in 1987 and slipped his prison escort at Bridge of Earn Hospital in 1989.

He was jailed for three firearms offences and assault to injury and danger of life in 2006.

Martin was transferred from a "top end" facility at HMP Shotts to Castle Huntly, near Dundee, in April and went on the run just weeks later.

The fugitive gave himself up to police one week later - but not before a damaging political row put pressure on the Justice Secretary. Mr MacAskill said guidelines he brought in after the Foye case had not been followed by the Scottish Prison Service.

SNP MSP Andrew Welsh, whose Angus constituency includes Castle Huntly, said: "It is vital that procedures to decide who is eligible for the open estate are strictly followed by the Scottish Prison Service. This lapse in standards must not happen again."

Mr Welsh welcomed the recommendations and added: "The staff at Castle Huntly do a good job but it is essential that SPS ensure only those prisoners who should be in the open estate are in the open estate and that any prisoner who breaks the rules or abuses the trust placed in them is punished accordingly."