Thomas Loughrey was stabbed in the heart last summer

Thomas Loughrey said that he was "in shock" over the error which saw James McCormick walk away from Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Mr Loughrey's 17-year-old son, also Thomas, was stabbed in the Pollokshaws area of Glasgow on 27 July, 2003.

Mr Loughrey told BBC Scotland: "I'm just shocked and absolutely stunned that this could happen, especially someone who is serving a life sentence, that he could just walk out of a sheriff court.

'Let down'

"My wife's upset, I'm upset, the whole family is. It just beggars belief.

"I'm so angry and I don't know who to be angry with, whether it's the security, someone at the court or other officials who have made this error. It should never have happened.

"It's just bringing the loss of my son back to us, knowing that his killer is walking about the street. I just hope he's caught and put back where he deserves to be.

"I'm frightened for my family, but also for other people because he is a highly dangerous young man.

"As far as I'm concerned, if he's done it once, he wouldn't bat an eyelid in doing it again.