CONVICTED killer Winston Silcott spent several hours mingling with shoppers at Ashford's McArthurGlen Outlet, it has been revealed.

Silcott, one of Britain's most notorious prisoners, visited a number of stores at the discount shopping mall last Friday, buying sportswear, and stopping off for a McDonald's meal in the Food Court.

He was accompanied discreetly by an officer who had driven him from Blantyre House open prison at Goudhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, where he has been held since July. He was distinctly dressed in striped suit, denim jacket and Nike baseball cap.

The trip was part of Silcock's preparation for his eventual release expected next year.

He was convicted of murdering PC Keith Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham in 1985, but cleared by the Court of Appeal six years later and awarded £50,000 compensation.

However, he remained in prison serving a life sentence after his conviction for the 1984 murder of boxer Anthony Smith who he stabbed to death at a party in East London.

He has served more than 17 years in jail, three over the minimum tariff he was told he must serve before becoming eligible for parole.

Outlet spokesperson Nicola Allen said: "We were not aware that he was here and only react if there is a complaint from any store or customers in the centre. I can confirm that since I have learnt he was seen in a few stores, but there were no problems and certainly we have received no complaints."