A CONVICTED killer who went missing after he was released from prison to visit his family has given himself up.

Today the family of James Butler's victim said they hoped the prison service would now learn a valuable lesson.

James Butler, 26, formerly of Persia Street, Accrington, surrendered to Preston Prison yesterday after being on the run since last Wednesday.

He was five years through a 10-year sentence at Kirklevington Grange Prison, North Yorkshire, after admitting the manslaughter of 18-year-old Sajjad Mahmood in 1999.

Last week he was allowed to visit his Accrington family but did not return. A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm James Butler is back in custody after handing himself in at Preston Prison."

Butler beat Mr Mahmood before forcing him into Haggs Lodge, Accrington, where he later died. Mr Mahmood's body was found a week later.

Today Mr Arshad Mahmood, Sajjad's father, said: "I don't know why they let him leave prison in the first place. We are better of without people like him."

Butler was understood to be just two weeks from parole. But his breach of day release terms means it is now likely to be scrapped.