A SCOTTISH politician has reacted angrily to news that the prison where Karen Buckley’s killer is locked up has satellite television and a gym.
Alexander Pacteau, 21, was jailed for a minimum of 23 years for the murder of Irish occupational therapy student Karen Buckley, 24, in April.
He was led away from the High Court after his sentencing on September 8 to serve his sentence at Shotts Prison outside of Glasgow.
But Scottish Conservatives chief whip John Lamont has hit out at news that the refurbished prison is kitted out to a high standard of comfort.
“The impression this creates is that life in jail won’t be all that bad,” he told Mail Online.
“That’s hurtful to the victims and their families, and gives our justice system a bad name.”
It was reported during the summer that the prison spent £157,000 on gym equipment for its prisoners.
It was also revealed that table tennis, snooker tables and satellite television are at the prisoners’ disposal.
Mr Lamont hit out at this, urging the Scottish Government to address the issue.
“The UK Government is cracking down on perks given to dangerous offenders – the SNP could do a lot worse than follow suit.”
Pacteau hit headlines earlier this year when he was arrested for the murder of Cork native Karen Buckley.
Details of the gruesome killing emerged from the court when he pleaded guilty last month.
After meeting her outside The Sanctuary nightclub on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow’s west end, Pacteau hit Ms Buckley with a spanner up to 13 times and strangled her.
He then spent the following days attempting to cover his tracks by dousing her body in caustic acid to dissolve it and fabricating a lie to tell the police.
In sentencing him, Judge Lady Rae said she “cannot ignore” Pacteau’s actions after the murder.
He is expected to serve out his 23-year sentence in Shotts.
