John Thomas Bowden, who is originally from South London had been granted temporary release to attend in Forfar town centre, but he failed to return when required. He was last seen in the Castle Street area, near to Tesco.

Bowden appeared on charges of murder, assault to severe injury and robbery at the Old Bailey in London on January 15, 1982, and was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

He was originally imprisoned in England before being transferred to the Scottish Prison Service in 1995. He then transferred to Noranside in October 2007, where he was being tested in open conditions.

Bowden is five feet seven inches tall, of medium build, with grey/white receding hair. He has a fair complexion, deep set blue eyes and bears a tattoo on his right arm which says 'Ireland the Brave'. When last seen he was wearing prison issue blue-coloured denim jeans.

A probe is under way in an effort to trace the absconder, including local enquiries in the Forfar area and a review of the town's CCTV systems. Tayside Police is also working with British Transport Police and other forces in an effort to trace Bowden's whereabouts.

Anyone who sees Bowden should not approach him but should contact Tayside Police immediately on 999.