A notorious killer who glued his victim's lips together had temporary prison release arrangements unlawfully cut for trying to bring drugs back inside, the High Court heard today.
Lawyers for Adrian Hayes also argued his security classification was wrongly increased over the incident at HMP Maghaberry.
The 44-year-old, who claims he acted under duress, is mounting a legal challenge ahead of a hearing to determine if he should be freed from jail.
He is nearing the end of a minimum 17-year sentence imposed for murdering 21-year-old Co Antrim woman Julie Tennant in 2000.
She was lured to his home in Ballymena before being punched to the floor and pummelled about the face for up to 20 minutes.
As the victim lay moaning, Hayes was said to have "super glued" her lips together, later telling police he wanted to keep her quiet.
Hayes, originally from Broughshane, Co Antrim, had been on a scheme of unaccompanied day releases from prison.
But he lost those privileges after being arrested at the jail in December for alleged possession of cannabis.
Earlier this year the drugs charge against him was stayed due to an issue over CCTV footage.
Judicial review proceedings were then launched against the Prison Service for reducing his temporary release arrangements to accompanied trips.
A barrister for Hayes claimed that step, and an increased security classification, had been procedurally unfair and unreasonable.
Laura McMahon, for the Prison Service, countered that Hayes was given a number of opportunities to explain the alleged pressure was under, but provided a "haze of vagueness".
Mr Justice McCloskey will deliver his verdict later this month.
