Police have widened their net in the search for a convicted murderer who absconded while on his way to the Highlands.
Officers from across Scotland have been responding to reports of sightings of Invergordon killer James Casey since he failed to return to Castle Huntly prison last week.
Last night, the 50-year-old remained on the run, four days after he was reported missing by prison chiefs.
Casey, who was given a life sentence in 1990 for battering father-of-two Ian MacBeth with a hammer and leaving him to die in a wood in Easter Ross, had been due to travel unescorted to the Inverness area on day release on Thursday, but did not return to prison at 8pm as planned.
He was previously released in October 2002 after serving 11 years of his life sentence, but within weeks he robbed a post office in West Lothian and was jailed for 14 years.
The Press and Journal understands that police in both the Inverness and Inverclyde areas have investigated reported sightings of Casey since he went missing.
A spokeswoman for the force said their inquiries were ongoing last night.
Casey was convicted at the High Court in Inverness of murdering Mr MacBeth, 37, who was the manager of Invergordon Social and Recreational Club.
The victim was struck at least eight times on the head with a hammer during the attack, before being taken in a car to a remote wood and given another beating.
Casey, who was then aged 26, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was reduced to 11 on appeal.
Co-accused George McNairn, then aged 23, was cleared of murder, but found guilty of robbery and sentenced to 18 months.
The police have said that specialist officers from across Scotland have joined the hunt for Casey, and that all potential sightings were being followed up.
They added that Casey should not be approached, and that if seen by any members of the public they should contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.