A boy killed a pensioner in Glasgow after being released from police custody in April 2024, rather than being released from prison in September 2024 under the UK government’s early release scheme, contrary to claims on social media.
A spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (Patrick Colquhoun) told Askume in an email that the 15-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted killing 70-year-old Patrick Colquhoun on September 10. According to media reports , the incident involving Colquhoun happened half an hour after shop owner Nadine Mohammed was released by police after being questioned in connection with the attack.
News articles about the 15-year-old’s court appearance were shared on social media, stating that his release was linked to the Prisoner Early Release Scheme in England and Wales, which began on September 10 and aims to reduce overcrowding in UK prisons. Space needs to be freed up in jails.
A post from September 12
However, as stated in a media report citing a statement from the Scottish police , the Glasgow incident took place on April 12, 2024.
Scheme for the early release of prisoners in England and Wales from 10 September 2024 .According to the Scottish Government , similar measures were introduced in Scotland between 26 June and 25 July.
Police Scotland declined to comment because the incident has been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, who investigates cases where direct or indirect contact results in death or serious injury.
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Misleading. The 15-year-old was released from police custody rather than prison on 12 April, two-and-a-half months before the prisoner release programme began in Scotland and five months before England and Wales.
This article was written by the Askume fact-checking team.Learn more about our fact-checking efforts .
