Victim of Scots dumbbell maniac 'horrified' over early release of prisoners

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A woman who was brutally assaulted by a convicted killer has told of her fears over plans to release hundreds of long-term prisoners early.Linda McDonald was attacked in the woods and battered with a dumbbell by Robbie McIntosh in 2017.McIntosh was on home leave from a life sentence for murder when he carried out the horrific assault which left Ms McDonald with two skull fractures.And now, she fears other people will be at risk from Scottish Government plans to free prisoners sentenced to four years or more after two-thirds of their jail term has been served.Ms McDonald told BBC Scotland: "If this proposal goes ahead, we're opening up the floodgates."The minute I heard 'early release of long term prisoners' it just filled me full of fear."Short-term offenders, definitely, I agree with that 100 per cent."But we're talking about people who have committed manslaughter, attempted murder, paedophiles.

It's just horrifying."The controversial proposals, intended to tackle “critical” levels of prison overcrowding, would apply to convicts guilty of serious offences like sexual and violent crimes.First Minister John Swinney has stressed public safety will be key and prisoners will have to meet “very strict” conditions ahead of release.McIntosh was jailed for life in 2002 for stabbing civil servant Anne Nicoll to death when he was 15.He was being prepared for possible parole when he attacked Ms McDonald on the outskirts of Dundee 15 years later, fleeing after dog walkers heard Ms Mcdonald’s screams.The brutal attack led to McIntosh receiving an order for lifelong restriction, a sentence which involves a jail term followed by supervision until he dies.Inmates serving life, orders for lifelong restriction, or extended sentences which