A CONVICTED killer on the run from the police has taken the unusual step of protesting his prison recall on social media - underneath an Argus story reporting the police appeal to catch him.

Last week Shaun Walker, 29, from Newport was recalled to prison and the public warned not to approach him.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was convicted of manslaughter following a trial.

He and another man were convicted of killing Barry Thomas in the Maindee area of Newport in 2013.

Walker's sentence was made up of eight years in a young offenders institution and four out on licence. 

However, since the recall to prison Mr Walker has claimed the grounds upon which he is a wanted man are unfounded. He has spoken out about his prison recall on a South Wales Argus Facebook post about the police appeal.

Mr Walker claims he has been recalled for 'nothing' as he has not threatened or harmed anyone since his release from prison. 

He told the Argus he accepts responsibility for his conviction and says it's an incident he's "regretted ever since".

But claims he was recalled to prison this week after a family argument resulted in allegations of threats being made which led to the police being called. 

He said: "I've kept my nose clean, not got into any trouble at all. Yet instead of police or probation speaking to me, or even asking for my side they've just recalled me to prison.

"There was no need to recall me.  I made a mistake nearly 12 years ago, I was a hot headed teenager and got into a stupid fight and the consequence were very bad. I have regretted it ever since."

Mr Walker feels the system is broken as he hasn't been given a chance to explain his side of the story before being recalled.

He said: "I've done nothing but try and build a life again - I work hard and just try to get by. I'm not drinking or messing about on the streets - I do nothing."

He continued: "Nothing at all has happened. If they had followed the process of calling me to check things, they would know that because I would have explained it, but I've not been given a chance to explain my side.

"I'm in hiding not because I'm guilty, but because I'm on licence, I know that if I handed myself in, I could be in prison for another year before the parole board makes their decision. 

"They already decided when I got released that I am not a danger to the public, and nothing has changed, so I don't understand why I'm being recalled? They don't know me at all."

Mr Walker has been told by the probation service they cannot talk to him or give him information until he hands himself in.

Gwent Police say their original appeal still stands, which is as follows:  “If you see him, the public are asked not to approach him and to instead call 999.

“Anyone with any information on his whereabouts can call 101, or send us a DM, ref 24*109553.”

Scrap metal dealer Walker was locked up for 12 years when he was a teenager after he was convicted of manslaughter following a trial.

He and another man were convicted of killing Barry Thomas in the Maindee area of Newport in 2013.

The victim was brutally attacked in a row over the sale of a moped.

Mr Thomas died in hospital of a catastrophic haemorrhage to the brain two days after the assault.