A CONVICTED murderer allowed home from prison is back behind bars after armed police found an imitation gun at his home.

Alfred Jepson, 49, was sentenced to life in prison in 1966 for the murder of a Derbyshire postmaster during an armed robbery.

He was released "on licence" during the 1970s but was arrested after reports of a disturbance at his home on Maryport Close, Blackburn, in the early hours of Friday.

Armed officers sealed off the area before he came out voluntarily at 9am but the imitation weapon was discovered when officers searched the property.

Jepson's conviction barred him from owning a gun or an imitation firearm and he was detained for a breach of the release regulations.

He was taken to Preston Prison on Saturday but is believed to have been transferred to another prison over the weekend. It is not known how long he will be detained.

Jepson was also charged with driving whilst disqualified and with no insurance and a decision on how to proceed with the matters will be made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

A spokesman for Blackburn Police said: "A man was arrested following an incident early on Friday.

"He is barred from owning or possessing a firearm but an imitation gun was recovered from his house.

"Contact was made with the Home Office and he was returned to prison on Saturday."

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Somebody who is serving a life sentence can be released on a life licence.

"This gives them the freedom to enjoy their liberty but if, at any time during their life, they are suspected of committing another offence they can be recalled to prison. They can then be detained for a period of months or years, depending on what the offence is."

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