McCormick was released by mistake from Hamilton Sheriff Court

Police are still hunting for James McCormick who was mistakenly freed from Hamilton Sheriff Court on Thursday.

The 17-year-old is believed to have switched bail papers with another prisoner which he then used to escape.

His ex-girlfriend Laura Reid, 16, told the Daily Record she spent time with him on the day of his escape.

Having a laugh

She said the pair travelled by bus to East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, after he was allowed to leave custody by Reliance Custodial Services and had spent time walking around his hometown of Glasgow.

Ms Reid said McCormick, from the Cardonald area of the city, had been laughing at the guards who had let him leave court just hours before.

Although she spent some time with him, Ms Reid insisted she no longer knows where he is.

McCormick is having a 'wee holiday' says his ex-girlfriend

She said: "He told me it's not his fault he's out. It was the security guards being stupid and he's just enjoying it while it lasts.

"All I know is he's enjoying himself and having a wee holiday.

"He knows he'll get caught but he's going to make the most of his wee taste of freedom.

"He couldn't stop laughing at what a shambles the security was in court."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said the search for McCormick was continuing.

McCormick was serving a life sentence for stabbing Celtic fan Thomas Loughrey, 17, to death in Glasgow last July and was branded an "animal" by his trial judge.