A murderer who absconded from a Kent open prison at the weekend has been found in a Maidstone hotel.

Jane Andrews, 42, disappeared from East Sutton Park Prison near Maidstone on Sunday night - just four days after being moved to the jail.

She was captured by police in the early hours of Wednesday morning at The Premier Inn at The Maidstone Services at junction 8 of the M20.

A spokesman for Premier Inn said: "Premier Inn can confirm that the matter is now in the hands of the police and we are co-operating fully with their investigation."

After extensive police searches and inquiries, officers found her at the hotel with three people who are known to her.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm officers attended the Premier Inn at the M20, junction 8, motorway services shortly after 3am Wednesday. Jane Andrews was found in a room at the hotel and was in the company of three people who are known to her.

"Miss Andrews was arrested for absconding from East Sutton prison and taken into custody. The three people she was were not arrested but have all been spoken to by police officers."

The spokesman added: "Kent police are now continuing their investigation which will include working with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine if criminal charges will be brought."

Asst Ch Const Andy Adams said police believe Andrews had been sleeping rough since her escape from jail and had only checked into the hotel a few hours before she was caught.

He added: "She has been medically checked and her care and future detention has now been handed back to the prison service."