An MP has called for action after a convicted killer, who was released from a Turkish jail after 12 months, returned to live in his victim's home town.

Hakan Yagiz was sentenced to 36 years' imprisonment when he was convicted in Turkey of murdering 53-year-old Sunday school teacher Gill Montgomery in St Leonards in 1995.

But he was released after serving a year and Sussex Police discovered, "by chance", he had returned to the town.

The community, including Mrs Montgomery's family who still live in the area, have been shocked at the news of his return.

Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster, who is also a lawyer, said today: "I have asked the Home Secretary to look into the circumstances of his release.

"There is obviously a lot of local feeling that a chap imprisoned for that long is back in town. There is obviously something odd in that.

"I imagine there are some sort of conditions of bail. I am trying to find out."

The Home Office has described his early release as "unacceptable" and is seeking urgent clarification from the Turkish authorities.

Former hairdresser Yagiz, 32, who has dual British and Turkish nationality, went to Turkey after killing Mrs Montgomery at her flat in Cloudesley Road.

Extradition attempts failed and he was eventually tried in Turkey for her murder in May, 1999.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "There was some sort of amnesty and he managed to get out.

"We were not told he was coming back to Hastings. We found out by chance when police officers were called to an incident and came across him.

"We are monitoring the situation very carefully. We are aware of the public feeling which is quite understandable.

"The family are still in the Hastings area and, of course, they are very disturbed that this man has come back."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We understand he was given a sentence of over 30 years in prison and has been released after serving just one year of that sentence.

"We find this completely unacceptable and are at present seeking urgent clarification on this matter from the Turkish authorities."

When questioned on whether Yagiz could be deported, he added: "If someone does have British nationality we cannot deport them."