'Do not approach': Police still looking for prisoner missing from open jail

Police are still trying to trace a 36-year-old man who failed to return to HMP Castle Huntly from an approved visit and has travelled to Ayrshire.

James Fitzpatrick was reported missing on Tuesday, December 30, and was last seen around 11.30am the previous day on Irvine High Street, where he boarded the No 11 Stagecoach bus for Ardrossan.

Officers say enquiries so far have found he got off the bus at noon on Main Street in Stevenston, heading towards New Street. He has not been seen since.

CCTV footage captured James Fitzpatrick. Police Scotland

James is described as white, around 5ft 8ins, of stocky build, with short brown hair.

When last seen he was wearing a black Nike tracksuit with white stripes down the arms and legs and carrying a yellow JD Sports carrier bag and a large black holdall.

Members of the public are advised not to approach him if they see him, but to contact police via 999, quoting incident number 2717 of Monday, 29 December, 2025.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.