Murderer turned artist, Michael Sams, is suing the Prison Service over lost paintings he claims are worth £4,000.

Sams, now 57, who lived in Keighley until his mid 30s, took up painting in prison following his jailing in 1993.

He was found guilty of the Murder of Julie Dart, of Leeds, and abduction of estate agent, Stephanie Slater, of Birmingham.

A special court is to be held nexth month in Durham maximum security prison - where Sams - pictured left - is serving life. He claims that his pictures - of railway scenes - were lost in Whitemoor Prison, where he was being held before he was transferred to Durham Close Supervision Unit.

One-legged Sams, one of the county's most dangerous criminals, has been trying for years to make money out of his new-found skills.

It is understood he tried to smuggle paintings out of prison against rules which say prisoners cannot make money out of notoriety arising from their crimes.

Sams' ex-wife Sue Oakes, who lives in Keighley, said yesterday Sams showed no interest in painting when they were married between 1964 and 1977.

It was Mrs Oakes who recognised Sams voice on a recording played on BBC TV's Crimewatch programme which eventually led to his arrest.

She said: "He showed no talent in that way.

"This is a completely new interest for him - I have never seen any of his paintings."

Sams is alleging that prison officers 'lost' paintings while he was at jails at Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire and Long Lartin, Leicestershire.

He has been awarded legal aid and will conduct the hearing himself.

He is also seeking to resolve a dispute over wages he claims he lost out on when he was held, unfairly he claims, in solitary confinement.

The Prison Service is contesting the claims.

A spokesman said it was cheaper to hold the case inside prison than foot the bill for elaborate security arrangements which would be needed if Sams was to be transferred to an outside prison.

The case is to be heard at Durham jail on February 18.

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