A PRISONER, who fled court minutes after receiving a five-year jail term for an arms offence, is a convicted killer, it emerged yesterday.

James Stevenson, 29, went on the run after making a dramatic crown court escape in Swansea, south Wales, at Friday lunch-time.

Despite a major police manhunt initially spearheaded by the South Wales Police helicopter, he remained at large last night.

Stevenson is thought to have escaped from a basement custody suite at Swansea Crown Court’s Guildhall building, used as an overspill court.

From there it is believed he gained access to the building’s flat roof before shinning down a drainpipe and running off.

Police have warned the public against approaching him and have circulated a description and a recent photograph to all news media.

Stevenson, who as a prisoner would have had no money on him, is thought to have made his escape before having been fed.

It has emerged that he was jailed for five years in 2002 for choking his mother’s boyfriend to death.

Stevenson was due to stand trial for murder when he admitted the manslaughter of epileptic Paul Mainwaring, 51.

Police were continuing the hunt for him last night and have warned the public once more not to approach him if seen.