Raymond Gunnell, 40, previously of St Luke's Road, Maidstone, Kent served nine years in jail for the murder of Alison Newland, 19, in 1990 in Grimsby.

He was released to a bail hostel on a life licence in 1999 and lived in Kent until 2001 when he fled to Spain after an attack on a man at a Maidstone pub.

Kent Police said officers had brought him back to the UK on Wednesday.

Gunnell stabbed Ms Newell, who was his girlfriend, more than than 11 times in front of her baby daughter in what police described as a fit of "jealous rage".

'Nowhere to hide'
Kent police said they had found out he was living in Spain following an appeal on the BBC Crimewatch programme.

He was held under a European arrest warrant two weeks ago and has been returned to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence for murder, the detectives said.

Det Sgt Rob Cox said: "I hope that family of Alison Newland can find some comfort now that Gunnell has been jailed and severe restrictions placed on him for the rest of his life.

"The Offender Management Unit works closely with probation on cases such as these to track down those who are unlawfully at large and it is satisfying to see positive conclusion to this protracted inquiry.

"I hope this sends out a clear message to those who have committed crimes and then attempt to flee justice that there is nowhere to hide."