Prison governors have warned arsonist David Blagdon he faces disciplinary action if he telephones the Oxford Mail.

Blagdon, 47, wrote to us last month revealing plans to take the Home Office to court. He is protesting about his life sentence for setting fire to a church 20 years ago, and absconded earlier this year to highlight his case.

In another letter written from his cell at Arncott, near Bicester, he said: "I have been in front of the governor saying I am not to phone you at all as it will be a disciplinary offence."

Police launched a hunt after Blagdon escaped from Leyhill Open Prison in Gloucestershire, in August. He was recaptured seven weeks later.

In 1978, Blagdon, of Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, was jailed for life at Oxford Crown Court for setting fire to St Laurence's church in South Hinksey.

In an earlier letter to the Oxford Mail, Blagdon wrote: "I did £1,000 damage with no life in danger at all."

When Blagdon escaped from Leyhill the vicar of St Laurence's Church, the Rev John Davis said: "No-one is beyond God's forgiveness and it is now time Mr Blagdon is forgiven."

Deputy-governor of Bull- ingdon Luke Serjeant said: "It is not a rule which especially applies to him and it is not clear why he has been given the advice. I assume he had phoned the media."

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