A KILLER who absconded from Leyhill Open Prison 17 years ago has been remanded in custody after being deported from Australia.

Robert James Hennessey, formerly known as Simon Dominic Hennessey, appeared before Bristol magistrates charged with evading lawful custody.

Hennessey, 50, had been arrested at Heathrow Airport following his deportation.

The case against him was adjourned until February 19, when he is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court.

The charge relates to Hennessey absconding from Leyhill in 1998. At the time he was serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of his aunt in Plymouth in 1978.

Hennessey had been arrested on unrelated offences in the Queensland area of Australia in 2013.