The man found dying in the back of a van in Berkshire had absconded from a Kent prison, it has been revealed.

Shaleem Amar had failed to return from day release at Standford Hill on the Isle of Sheppey in 2009.

The 33-year-old died after police found him in the van in Sunningdale last week.

A Prison Service spokesman told KentOnline: "Shaleen Amar failed to return from resettlement day release on May 23, 2009.

"He had been at HMP Standford Hill for nearly a year and the prison recorded nothing untoward about his behaviour at the prison.

"Prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public."