A transgender killer was allowed out of jail to have surgery to make him look more feminine.
Alan Baker – now known as Alex Stewart – is serving life for the ‘wicked and brutal’ stabbing of a man he met on an online dating site.
But it has now emerged the 36-year-old – who is behind bars at HMP Greenock, Renfrewshire – has had an operation to reduce the size of his Adam’s apple.
Last night, critics demanded to know whether the taxpayer picked up the bill for the work.
Susan Smith, of campaign group For Women Scotland, said: ‘We are disturbed to learn a dangerous prisoner was allowed out to seek unnecessary cosmetic surgery.
‘We doubt that a female murderer would be allowed day release for Botox or a nose-job.
‘How was this funded and at what cost to the taxpayer? At a time when resources are stretched both for prison and health services, this looks like a profligate indulgence of a manipulative man.’
Baker, of Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, was jailed for a minimum of 19 years for the murder of father-of-two John Weir in 2013.
Alan Baker, now known as Alex Stewart, who murdered father-of-two John Weir
John Weir was stabbed to death by Baker, who is serving a minimum of 19 years behind bars
He invited his 36-year-old victim to his home then stabbed him and dumped his belongings in a bid to cover up his crime.
Behind bars, Baker changed his name to Alex Stewart and has been allowed to serve his sentence in the women’s wing.
It was reported that he has begun a relationship with Nyomi Fee, 38, who was jailed for the 2014 murder of her two-year-old stepson Liam Fee in Fife.
Baker gave evidence during an ongoing trial at Greenock Sheriff Court that he had ‘undergone a tracheal shave in 2019’.
It is understood such operations can be carried out on the NHS if a patient is referred to hospitals in Newcastle and Nottingham.
Alternatively, surgery could be carried out privately at a cost of around £7,000.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: ‘We take an individualised approach to the management of transgender people and our staff work hard to support the health, safety, and well-being of all people in our care.’
The Scottish Government said it was a matter for the SPS.