Thomas Loughrey was stabbed to death last summer

James McCormick went missing a week ago when prison guards from a private security firm freed him.

Thomas Loughrey, whose son Thomas was stabbed to death by McCormick in Glasgow, said it had been a traumatic week for the family.

He added: "To think he is boasting about evading the police is shocking."

"He is a convicted murderer, he murdered my son.

"We thought a 17-year-old would not outwit the police this far, so as far as we are concerned someone must be harbouring him and we would like to appeal for those people to come forward."

Detectives do not believe McCormick has gone far

Described as an "animal" by a judge, police have warned the public not to approach him.

Mr Loughrey admitted he had been on the streets himself looking for his son's killer.

"Me and my wife have been to a few places, although I know it is looking for a needle in a haystack I would love to just see him myself," he said.

There has been signs that someone has been holed up in some of the houses we've been to and we believe we are getting closer to catching him Det Serg Norrie Conway

Police said there had been "numerous" reported sightings.

Detective Sergeant Norrie Conway said: "James has previously been in secure units, he has been in prison, and in that time he's made a number of friends who do not particularly like the police and are unlikely to assist us in any way.

"Over the last week we've searched a number of addresses throughout the Strathclyde area and we believe on ocassion we've narrowly missed James.

"There has been signs that someone has been holed up in some of the houses we've been to and we believe we are getting closer to catching him."

Police have appealed for anyone with information not to approach McCormick but to contact Hamilton CID on 01698 483318 or their nearest police office, or the Crimestoppers line at 0800 555 111.