A DOUBLE killer has become the second inmate in Scotland to die from suspected coronavirus.

Francis McCarthy, 59, died in custody at HMP Low Moss in Bishopbriggs yesterday, the Scottish Prison Service have confirmed.

McCarthy was convicted at Paisley High Court in 1985 of murder and culpable homicide in separate horror attacks in Paisley.

At age 16, McCarthy stabbed Thomas Mellon to death in Ferguslie Park in1977.
And in February 1985, after his release from his previous crime, he murdered his friend Thomas McKirdy.

It comes after the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) announced on Tuesday that there are two confirmed coronavirus cases in the country’s jails.

Around 30 people are self-isolating across the prison estate as part of measures to tackle the pandemic.

Last week, John Angus, 66, who was being held at HMP Edinburgh, became the first Scottish prisoner to die after contracting the virus.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "Francis McCarthy, 59, a prisoner from HMP Low Moss has died.

"He was convicted at Paisley High Court in 1985.

"Police Scotland have been informed and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

"A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course."

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