DEATH THREAT WARNING FOR FUGITIVE CON

Drugs baron McGovern flees prison after getting an 'Osman letter'

- ALAN MCEWAN

A SCOTS drug baron who fled from an open prison was warned his life was in danger before he went on the run, underworld sources claim.

Sean "Lugs" McGovern absconded from HMP Castle Huntly, near Dundee, on Sunday, and sparked a police manhunt.

Sources say the 39-year-old was handed a "threat to life" notice - commonly known as an Osman letter - a matter of days before he vanished.

These warnings are issued to individuals when cops discover that someone wants to kill them, but do not have enough evidence to make an arrest.

Seven years ago, McGovern was targeted in a horrifying slashing in Edinburgh city centre while about to return to prison after home leave.