Convicted killer, 54, is arrested after absconding from open prison
Convicted killer, 54, who strangled a woman with a belt is arrested after absconding from open prison
Convicted killer Marcus Coates, 54, was jailed for manslaughter in 2012 He absconded from open prison HMP Leyhill in Tortworth, Gloucestershire Avon and Somerset Police warned the public to stay away and call 999Coates was last seen at Bristol bus station between 8.30-9.30am on Thursday
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Marcus Coates, 54, has a number of tattoos
A convicted killer who strangled a woman with a belt was re-arrested today after he absconded from an open prison.
Marcus Coates, 54, was serving a sentence for manslaughter at HMP Leyhill in Tortworth, Gloucestershire.
Coates, who killed Jennie Banner, 32, in August 2011 and left her body for five days, was last seen near Bristol’s bus station on Thursday night.
He was convicted of manslaughter in 2012.
Following the court case, Detective Chief Inspector Jon Clayden described him as having a ‘long history of violent offending’, branding him a ‘danger’.
During sentencing, Judge Philip Statman described Coates as ‘dangerous’, adding that he had shown no remorse – only self-pity.
At the time of his disappearance, Coates was captured on CCTV wearing a blue polo shirt, blue jacket, blue jeans and grey Puma trainers.
Avon and Somerset Police had warned the public to stay away from him and to call 999 immediately.
Coates has links to London and Kent and is described as 5 foot 10 inches tall, with blue eyes and receding mousey brown hair.
He was arrested by police on Friday.
Coates was last seen at Bristol bus station between 8.30-9.30am on Thursday
Avon and Somerset Police warned the public to stay away from him and to call 999 immediately. Pictured, HMP Leyhill
Ms Banner’s furious father David told Mail Online his daughter’s killer should be locked up for life.
The retired decorator, 71, said: ‘He was on day release and is claiming he missed his bus. He had to sleep rough on the streets overnight and got soaking wet from the rain which serves him right.
‘Apparently he will be back in closed full day prison and could be charged with absconding so might be inside for even longer after this.’
Mr Banner, who is divorced from Jennie’s mother Vivienne, chooses to celebrate her birthday by releasing balloons with her sisters instead of remembering the anniversary of her death 10 years ago last August.
He said: ‘It happened a decade ago but it hasn’t got any easier. You just learn to live with it but you never get over it.
‘I’m still bitter. It hurts. Some things, like this happening, spark it off and bring all the feelings back.
‘The jury found him guilty of manslaughter so the judge, who ruled him a danger to society, could only give him a indeterminate sentence with a minimum of seven and a half years.
‘I know some killers can be released eventually. But he should never be allowed to walk free again.’
Mr Banner said from his home in Rochester, Kent today that news of the escape had left him emotional.
‘I was quite upset actually. I’m shaking. They tell me if he applies for parole but I didn’t know he’d been allowed in an open prison. But thankfully our probation officer has now told us he is back in police custody. It’s a relief.’
