Escaped murderer back in Northern Ireland prison

A convicted murderer who went on the run after being let out of a high-security prison is back in custody, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has said.

William Sloan (51), who was jailed for his role in the death of a man beaten with a hammer in 1989, is understood to have handed himself in to police in Manchester on Saturday.

The heavily scarred and tattooed killer had been given temporary release from Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn but failed to return on November 21st.

A Northern Ireland Prison Service spokesman said: “We are pleased he has been returned to custody and he will be returned to Maghaberry Prison as soon as possible.”

Sloan has scars on his ear, cheek and arm. He has a series of tattoos, including one on his right arm of “Mum Dad” and a headstone with two flowers.

In 2006 former Northern Ireland secretary Paul Murphy revoked his early release licence after he was convicted of new offences. PA