A MURDERER who was allowed out of prison for a day failed to return and stayed at large for almost 15 months. Had Daniel Driscoll abided by the rules he would have shortly been eligible for parole but he is now serving out his life sentence with no indica

A MURDERER who was allowed out of prison for a day failed to return and stayed at large for almost 15 months.

Had Daniel Driscoll abided by the rules he would have shortly been eligible for parole but he is now serving out his life sentence with no indication of parole being in sight, Luton Crown Court was told today (Thursday).

Driscoll, 34, was 18 when he was convicted of the murder of William Walsh in Stevenage in 1992 and was detained at her Majesty's pleasure because of his age.

In December 2007 he was released from Sudbury prison for a day as part of the resettlement process, said prosecutor Natalie Carter.

"He failed to return and press releases were issued nationally and locally. Then in March this year, acting on information, police armed with Tasar guns went to a house in Tamar Close, Stevenage. Driscoll tried to leave by the back door but was restrained and arrested," she added.

"He is now back in custody with no parole date set."

Steven Garrett, defending, said: "If the sentence had taken its course he would have been due for release very soon.

"He wants me to say that while at large he did not engage in any criminal behaviour."

Judge Michael Baker QC told Driscoll: "You have brought the biggest punishment on yourself because your parole prospects have been significantly and adversely affected. No sentence I pass will make any significant difference."

Driscoll pleaded guilty to failing to return to custody and was given a five-month sentence to run concurrently with the sentence he is now serving.