A murderer arrested after three months on the run was known to have a history of absconding.

Joseph Bagley received a life sentence in 1978 for killing a taxi driver in Maidenhead.

He was released from prison on a supervised life licence in January this year and was staying in Maidstone.

His conditions included obeying a curfew. In May he failed to return home - a direct breach of his release conditions.

A three-month manhunt came to an end last week when he was found in Chartham, near Canterbury. This was just a week after the Crimestoppers charity announced a £3,000 reward for information leading to Bagley being found.

Notes from his parole hearing in November 2018 reveal a panel was told of Bagley’s poor record for upholding his open licence conditions, including a time he absconded and went on to commit further serious offences.

The exact crimes were not specified. The KM asked the Parole Board what these were but a spokesman told us they were historic and no information could be found on them.

The Parole Board’s decision summary stated he volunteered to wear a tag to monitor his whereabouts but this couldn’t be enforced as part of the licence conditions.

It also revealed the panel were informed of his inability to solve life’s problems and cope with stress.

It made reference to his struggles with anger management and a drinking problem and described him as having “unhelpful attitudes.”

Evidence presented at the hearing stated he had completed accredited programmes to address his offending behaviour but had not demonstrated consistent progress in his 40 years behind bars.

However witnesses reported there had been no attempts to manipulate and deceive staff, which had been a feature of the rest of his time in custody.

The panel was also informed Bagley had not used physical violence in prison for 16 years.

It concluded he had made sufficient progress and were satisfied he was suitable for release, subject to release conditions.

The offender was also instructed to stay at a designated address and was supposed to be demonstrate “good behaviour” and adhere to a strict curfew.

KentOnline requested details about his arrest from Surrey Police but was told where he went missing from in Maidstone was ‘no longer relevant’ and no further detail about the search, or arrest, would be released. Since his arrest he has been recalled to prison.

Retired detective Nick Biddiss recently slammed the decision to release Bagley. He said: “It’s hard enough catching murderers, a life sentence should mean life.”

Crimestoppers said it did not confirm if rewards has been handed out.

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