Missing prisoner returns to jail

Thomas Maloney (far right) has been moved to closed conditions

One of three prisoners who absconded from an open prison in north Worcestershire has returned.

Police said Thomas Maloney, 33, of Coventry, returned to the prison of his own accord last Friday.

Terry Lowe, 24, from Plumstead, south-east London, and Nicolas Cole, 32, from Coventry - who are both serving terms for murder - are still missing.

The three men were found to have absconded during a roll call on 7 June at HMP Hewell, near Redditch.

'New dimension'

Lowe was convicted in 2001 and given a 10-year-tariff for killing a man in Plumstead in November 2000.

Cole was serving life for the murder and manslaughter of two men in a Coventry nightclub in October 1995. He was convicted in 1997.

Maloney was serving eight years for conspiracy and possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was convicted in November 2006.

He has been moved to closed conditions since his return.

Det Insp Jon Marsden said: "Maloney's return has added a new dimension to our inquiries and we have interviewed him about his disappearance and any involvement he may have had with Lowe and Cole."