I was victim of Edinburgh killer who went on the run - he should never be released

Edinburgh Live

27-04-2025

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A hero police officer who was shot by a killer who went on the run from prison to Edinburgh has said he should never be released.
Brian Williams was shot in the hand by Raymond McCourt after he murdered a Scottish newsagent during a botched robbery in May 1993.
The PC was left injured after chasing the thug after he killed Khalid Mahmood and shot shopper Moira Rooney.
The 59-year-old convicted murderer went on the run from HM Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee last week but was recaptured in Edinburgh city centre after exiting a bus on Friday morning.
It is the second time he will be returned to prison after going missing since being jailed for life in 1993. He was released on licence in 2015 to live with his partner in Perthshire but stole from her and was given a 10-month term.
The Sunday Mail reports Brian, 66, believes the killer should never be released from prison. He said: "It doesn't surprise me that McCourt escaped.
'He had done it before and he will do it again. He should be kept behind bars for what he did.'
McCourt's recent disappearance brought back memories of the day Brian confronted the killer as a young beat cop, having initially been told to investigate reports of an assault at a nearby bakers in Cambuslang, near Glasgow.
Brian was unaware of the shopkeeper's murder at the time and that McCourt was armed with a .44 Magnum handgun.
Dad-of-one Brian, from Glasgow, said: 'We got a call around 5pm. There was no mention of a gun. I got to the bakers and the staff pointed out the suspect, who was standing in a ­telephone box.
(Image: Police Scotland)
'I was crossing the road and he gets out the phone box and points the gun at me and starts shooting.
'I put my hand up to protect my face and the bullet went into my hand off my wrist watch. He must have shot at me three or four times.'
Shopper Moira had screamed: 'Don't shoot!' before McCourt wounded her and then turned the gun on cop Brian.
Brian had the bullet removed after he was rushed to hospital. He spent two weeks at the police convalescent home in Harrogate, Yorkshire, but returned t work five months after the incident.
He was awarded the Chief Constable's Very High Commendation, the Queens Commendation for Bravery and the Strathclyde Region Medal for Bravery.