A woman prison officer who was found naked in bed with one of "Scotland's most dangerous and feared criminals" has been found guilty of harbouring him.

A jury took just 52 minutes to return the guilty verdict by majority on 45-year-old Christine Robertson and she was remanded in custody.

The warder - who was suspended from her post over another matter when she sheltered Holland - showed no emotion as the verdict was read out and she was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

Friends of Robertson, who had supported her throughout the case, broke down in tears as she was led to the cells.

A riot squad of ten officers used a battering ram to knock down the front door of Christine Robertson's flat in Monifieth, Angus, on March 16 last year.

The officers had been looking for James 'Jimmy' Holland after he absconded from Castle Huntly jail in Perthshire, where he was serving eight years for assault and robbery.

The trial at Dundee Sheriff Court heard from Constable Dean Miller, 27, who was one of the first officers to approach the bedroom where Robertson was found.

He told the court he saw Holland crouching naked on the bed holding a "large kitchen knife".

He said: "The room was in darkness, only ambient light was getting in. He was completely naked. Mr Holland had to be tasered using an electronic stun gun. Those shoot barbs into his chest and put 50,000 volts through him.

"He was quite aggressive and belligerent. Once he was subdued I pulled back the covers of the bed to reveal a female underneath. The female was also completely naked.

"Shortly after I was ensuring the route from the living room, where Mr Holland was, to the front door was clear, I heard her say 'that's my job f***ed' then giggling or laughing."

Defence solicitor Jonathan Crowe asked the constable: "Would it be fair to describe Jimmy Holland as one of the most dangerous and feared criminals in Scotland?" and the police officer replied: "That would be fair, yes."

The trial at Dundee Sheriff Court heard Robertson had made herself Holland's personal officer and her role had inovled taking him on day trips.

Texts

The court also heard of a string of text messages on Robertson's phone with a contact known as "Holland".

One message received from the contact called "Holland" at read: "Thank you my paintbrush hahaha hahaha the wee boy looks like us xxx buh bye."

A second, received at 7.37pm read: "Haven't looked will let you know sexy."

The court also heard of three undated messages sent from Robertson's phone to "Holland", which read: "Ok honey monster xxx", "what's the post mark?", and: "Looks like Lars - a bit of me and a bit of you."

Giving evidence Jimmy Holland has said he threatened to burn the prison officer's house down if she did not write, text and call him.

Holland, who has previous convictions for hostage taking, assault and robbery, said he initially did not like Robertson when she appointed herself his personal officer at the Perthshire jail.

But he said that changed after she took him on a day release trip to the East Neuk of Fife.

Holland said he began to view her as a "mother figure", before later viewing her as a "girlfriend type person".

The 41-year-old said the feeling had not been mutual and that he had been forced to exert a "hold on her".

He claimed he had run away from Castle Huntly and called Robertson telling her a friend was in trouble.

"I called Christine's number from a phone box and said her mate 'Pickled Pete' was in trouble. I was planning for her to drive me to Glasgow or to her house.

"When we got in her car there was a beeping noise because she needed fuel and she said she had to go back to her house and get her bank card, I was rubbing my hands at how easy it was.

"I ran in after her. Once I got in, went to the toilet, then went to her kitchen and took a knife. She was hysterical, but I tried to kiss her and tell her it wasn't for her," said Holland.

Mr Crowe said he would defer mitigation to the sentencing date.

He added: "I would ask for her to be released on bail ahead of sentencing for background reports to be prepared in the home environment."

Mr Crowe added that Robertson had now been fired from her job.

But Sheriff Tom Hughes told her: "In respect of this matter you hav been convicted of a serious offence."I will require a background report. In the mean time you will be remanded in custody.

Robertson, of Reform Street, Monifieth, Angus, claimed she was coerced into letting Holland into her flat and denied a charge of harbouring him.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "The public expect the highest standards from prison officers. Unfortunately, occasionally individuals fail to meet those standards and it is appropriate that they receive punishment accordingly."