Richard Crawford was flown back to Scotland on Thursday after turning himself in on Wednesday in Brighton, East Sussex.

The 41-year-old had been jailed for the rape and murder of one pensioner and attempted rape of another - but was released on bail after lodging an appeal.

Mary Lynch was murdered in her home

However, his appeal was quashed after he absconded and Crawford will now have to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

Crawford was taken directly to a police station in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on Thursday after arriving at Glasgow Airport.

He will spend the night at the town's Mill Street police station before being transferred to Saughton Prison, Edinburgh, on Friday.

Crawford is believed to have visited relatives in Brighton during his six weeks on the run.

Life sentence

A force spokesman confirmed that he was unlikely to face further charges in connection with his disappearance.

Crawford, from Paisley, was jailed for life in February 2000 for the murder and rape of Mary Lynch, 87, and ordered to serve eight years for the attempted rape of a 79-year-old woman.

Both offences happened in the pensioners' homes in the Ferguslie Park area of the town in 1987.

People whom the police describe as dangerous, who have been convicted of murder and rape, must not be freed to walk the streets of Scotland

Tory spokesman

Crawford was released on bail pending appeal against his conviction.

He arrived at court in Edinburgh for a hearing on 12 July - but went missing before the case was called.

A nationwide appeal for information was launched several weeks later and the search concentrated on the Brighton area.

More than 100 calls were received by police as they searched for Crawford.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Cheesman, said the Sussex and Strathclyde forces were grateful to the public for their help in the case.

He said: "I would wish to express our deep gratitude for all the help they've given us during the course of this inquiry.

Serious offences

"We received a huge number of calls and we're very pleased with the result."

Crawford's case has led to a political row, with the Scottish Tories promising to seek a change in the law which would prevent those convicted of serious offences from being bailed.

A spokesman said: "People whom the police describe as dangerous, who have been convicted of murder and rape, must not be freed to walk the streets of Scotland.

"We will change the law."