By . Nick Fagge, Katherine Faulkner and Andy Dolan . Last updated at 8:17 AM on 1st February 2012 . Accused: Rimvydas Liorancas, drinking with friends in his home town in Lithuania, was found dead in his prison cell . A Lithuanian charged with battering a retired couple to death in their home was a violent criminal who had already been kicked out of the UK. Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, who was awaiting trial for murdering Carole and Avtar Kolar with a lump hammer, was found hanged in his prison cell on Saturday. He had twice made his way into the UK illegally, on the second occasion without a passport. Today it can be revealed that the convicted armed robber: . The British authorities had no idea Liorancas was even in the country until they arrested him two weeks ago. The jobbing builder targeted Mr and Mrs Kolar, 62 and 58, after he was employed to do some work on the patio at their home in the Handsworth Wood area of Birmingham. The couple, who were married for 40 years, were found on January 11 by their son Jason, 37, a police officer. Liorancas was arrested five days later and charged with murder. He was found dead in his cell at top security Woodhill jail, Milton Keynes, on Saturday before he could offer an explanation for what happened. Murder victims: Avtar Kolar and his wife Carol who were bludgeoned to death with a hammer . Tenants in the seedy Birmingham bedsit where he had been living said Liorancas was ‘a madman’ who kept a collection of hammers in his room. Though he said he was a builder, they suspected him of being a burglar ‘or something worse’. In fact, Liorancas was a career criminal whose string of convictions spanned a ten-year period. Carol and Avtar Kolar's latest grandchild Sonni . The father of two came from the village of Vadzgirys, around 150 miles from the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. His ex-wife, Ingrida, said the muscular robber had never had a job and had been involved in crime since he left school. ‘He came from a good family, but he did nothing,’ she said. ‘He was a thief, a burglar, a robber. He would steal anything – wood, petrol, property from people’s homes. ‘He drank a lot of alcohol. Almost everyone in the countryside drinks a lot. There’s nothing else to do. ‘We were married for 11 years but he was not home very much. He used to go out drinking all the time with his friends and they would plot their next crime. ‘He would come out of jail, be free for a few months, and then be sent back again.’ She has brought up their son and daughter, now 12 and 17, alone. ‘I’m ashamed of him and so are the children,’ she said. Ingrida divorced Liorancas in 1999, during his first stint in prison for burglary. By 2003, he was back on the prowl and convicted for an armed robbery in the Czech Republic. He returned to his home country in 2005 to serve the rest of his lengthy sentence. Violent crime: Rimvydas Liorancas, pictured in a court sketch, was discovered dead in his cell just 12 days after he had been charged with the brutal murder of Avtar and Carole Kolar, who were bludgeoned to death with a hammer . Four years later, he was granted . parole – and immediately went on the run. When the authorities finally . found him, he had been living in Britain undetected for almost a year. He had somehow made his way into this country despite being on a ‘watch’ list. Liorancas was . extradited back to Lithuania in 2009. Once home, he was sentenced to a . further one year and eight months for absconding and breaking the terms . of his release. By 2011, he . was in trouble again, this time for leaving the scene of an accident . and drunk driving while disqualified. But, incredibly, he was soon back . in the UK. Jail: Liorancas was found hanged in his cell at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, just 12 days after he was charged with the murder of Mr and Mrs Kolar . With no right to benefits, he eked out a meagre existence in the run-down Soho Hill area of Birmingham. Housemates said he was violent, heavy drinking, and would steal anything lying around. Shamsher Singh said he threatened to kill him if he came into his room uninvited. Investigation: A forensic tent sits outside the home in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham where bodies of Mr and Mrs Kolar were discovered . Dirty work: Police teams looking for clues search drains near the house in the days after the discovery . ‘He was like a madman,’ Mr Singh, 28, an unemployed chef, said. ‘He pushed me very hard up against the wall and made a fist like he was going to punch me. ‘There was so much anger in his face. He was obviously a bad guy, a violent guy.’ A . month before the Kolars were murdered, Liorancas began doing some . building work on their patio as part of a gang of Eastern Europeans. A . family friend said: ‘It’s terrible to think he decided to attack them . after he had been inside their house and worked for them.’ Three . weeks before the murder, Liorancas left his £40-a-week room without . paying his rent. ‘He seemed very nervous before he left,’ Mr Singh said. ‘He didn’t say goodbye – one day he was just not there.’ Mr Singh said that although the tattooed Lithuanian was ‘not that tall’ he was very strong. ‘He had massive hands and his arm muscles were like iron,’ Mr Singh said. Among the sea of floral tributes outside the Kolars’ semi-detached home yesterday was a photo of their youngest grandchild. Sonni was born to their son, Avtar, and his wife Victoria, both 32, a week before they were killed. The text read: ‘Nanny and Grandad. I love and miss you both. Love always and for ever, your newborn grandson xxxx.’ by JAMES SLACK . If a monster like Rimvydas Liorancas was free to enter Britain, just what does a foreign criminal have to do to be turned away? Inevitably, the issue is complicated by the free movement directives and edicts issued by Brussels which have eroded our border controls. In most instances, Britain must throw its doors wide open to the citizen of a fellow EU country, even convicted criminals. But the rules do allow the UK to turn away the worst offenders. Liorancas, as a convicted armed robber, fell into such a category. The problem in his case is that we had no idea he was travelling to the UK. Lithuania, with other EU member states, has given an undertaking to warn us if a danger man may be heading our way so that he can be stopped from going through passport controls. But the system breaks down entirely when, as in the Liorancas case, the home country of the offender does not keep its side of the bargain. Chillingly, Liorancas is only the latest in a long line of Eastern Europeans to slip through the net. Earlier this month, a senior judge demanded to know why another Lithuanian, child-rapist Victor Akulic, was let into Britain, where he went on to rape a woman. The Mail understands that, in this case, Lithuania again failed to inform the Home Office of his history or possible intention to travel. Last Friday, it emerged that a sexual predator from the Czech Republic who had murdered his wife was able to travel to the UK where he carried out a knifepoint rape and three serious sex attacks. Ministers have made one specific change to the rules which could prevent an exact repeat of the Liorancas case. Now, whenever a person is extradited from Britain that information is passed to ACRO (ACPO Criminal Records Office) which assesses the case. If it shows a public protection risk ACRO asks the UK Border Agency to place a marker on its watchlist. But unless a person has been previously extradited, we remain utterly reliant on other EU member states fulfilling their obligations to warn us of any convict intending to travel.  Ultimately, they know that they have countless free movement directives on their side. Cynically, . they may even take the view that they would rather have their murderers and rapists living in Britain.What is most worrying is that it is impossible to know how many men like Liorancas are already here. And if we did not count them in, how are we to get them out? Heartbreak: Michelle Kirwan and her brother Avtar Kolar break down in tears as they speak about their love for their murdered parents . Tearful: Ms Kirwan told the press conference that after her family learned of the killing 'the light was switched out in our lives and our hearts have been broken forever'
Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, found hanged at Woodhill Prison .
Lithuanian strolled into country despite European arrest warrant for him .
Then sneaked back into UK for second time - despite not having a passport .
Accused of double murder of Avtar Kolar, 62, and wife Carole, 58 .
He had been working as a jobbing builder on their patio .
The couple, married 40 years, were bludgeoned to death with a hammer .
Roamed Europe committing crimes for at least ten years; .
First entered the UK while on the run from a prison sentence; .
Strolled into the country even after a warrant had been issued across Europe for his arrest; .
Lived in Britain for almost a year before he was found and sent back to Lithuania; .
Somehow slipped back into Britain last year despite having no passport and a string of convictions.
By . Nick Fagge, Katherine Faulkner and Andy Dolan . Last updated at 8:17 AM on 1st February 2012 . Accused: Rimvydas Liorancas, drinking with friends in his home town in Lithuania, was found dead in his prison cell . A Lithuanian charged with battering a retired couple to death in their home was a violent criminal who had already been kicked out of the UK. Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, who was awaiting trial for murdering Carole and Avtar Kolar with a lump hammer, was found hanged in his prison cell on Saturday. He had twice made his way into the UK illegally, on the second occasion without a passport. Today it can be revealed that the convicted armed robber: . The British authorities had no idea Liorancas was even in the country until they arrested him two weeks ago. The jobbing builder targeted Mr and Mrs Kolar, 62 and 58, after he was employed to do some work on the patio at their home in the Handsworth Wood area of Birmingham. The couple, who were married for 40 years, were found on January 11 by their son Jason, 37, a police officer. Liorancas was arrested five days later and charged with murder. He was found dead in his cell at top security Woodhill jail, Milton Keynes, on Saturday before he could offer an explanation for what happened. Murder victims: Avtar Kolar and his wife Carol who were bludgeoned to death with a hammer . Tenants in the seedy Birmingham bedsit where he had been living said Liorancas was ‘a madman’ who kept a collection of hammers in his room. Though he said he was a builder, they suspected him of being a burglar ‘or something worse’. In fact, Liorancas was a career criminal whose string of convictions spanned a ten-year period. Carol and Avtar Kolar's latest grandchild Sonni . The father of two came from the village of Vadzgirys, around 150 miles from the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. His ex-wife, Ingrida, said the muscular robber had never had a job and had been involved in crime since he left school. ‘He came from a good family, but he did nothing,’ she said. ‘He was a thief, a burglar, a robber. He would steal anything – wood, petrol, property from people’s homes. ‘He drank a lot of alcohol. Almost everyone in the countryside drinks a lot. There’s nothing else to do. ‘We were married for 11 years but he was not home very much. He used to go out drinking all the time with his friends and they would plot their next crime. ‘He would come out of jail, be free for a few months, and then be sent back again.’ She has brought up their son and daughter, now 12 and 17, alone. ‘I’m ashamed of him and so are the children,’ she said. Ingrida divorced Liorancas in 1999, during his first stint in prison for burglary. By 2003, he was back on the prowl and convicted for an armed robbery in the Czech Republic. He returned to his home country in 2005 to serve the rest of his lengthy sentence. Violent crime: Rimvydas Liorancas, pictured in a court sketch, was discovered dead in his cell just 12 days after he had been charged with the brutal murder of Avtar and Carole Kolar, who were bludgeoned to death with a hammer . Four years later, he was granted . parole – and immediately went on the run. When the authorities finally . found him, he had been living in Britain undetected for almost a year. He had somehow made his way into this country despite being on a ‘watch’ list. Liorancas was . extradited back to Lithuania in 2009. Once home, he was sentenced to a . further one year and eight months for absconding and breaking the terms . of his release. By 2011, he . was in trouble again, this time for leaving the scene of an accident . and drunk driving while disqualified. But, incredibly, he was soon back . in the UK. Jail: Liorancas was found hanged in his cell at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, just 12 days after he was charged with the murder of Mr and Mrs Kolar . With no right to benefits, he eked out a meagre existence in the run-down Soho Hill area of Birmingham. Housemates said he was violent, heavy drinking, and would steal anything lying around. Shamsher Singh said he threatened to kill him if he came into his room uninvited. Investigation: A forensic tent sits outside the home in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham where bodies of Mr and Mrs Kolar were discovered . Dirty work: Police teams looking for clues search drains near the house in the days after the discovery . ‘He was like a madman,’ Mr Singh, 28, an unemployed chef, said. ‘He pushed me very hard up against the wall and made a fist like he was going to punch me. ‘There was so much anger in his face. He was obviously a bad guy, a violent guy.’ A . month before the Kolars were murdered, Liorancas began doing some . building work on their patio as part of a gang of Eastern Europeans. A . family friend said: ‘It’s terrible to think he decided to attack them . after he had been inside their house and worked for them.’ Three . weeks before the murder, Liorancas left his £40-a-week room without . paying his rent. ‘He seemed very nervous before he left,’ Mr Singh said. ‘He didn’t say goodbye – one day he was just not there.’ Mr Singh said that although the tattooed Lithuanian was ‘not that tall’ he was very strong. ‘He had massive hands and his arm muscles were like iron,’ Mr Singh said. Among the sea of floral tributes outside the Kolars’ semi-detached home yesterday was a photo of their youngest grandchild. Sonni was born to their son, Avtar, and his wife Victoria, both 32, a week before they were killed. The text read: ‘Nanny and Grandad. I love and miss you both. Love always and for ever, your newborn grandson xxxx.’ by JAMES SLACK . If a monster like Rimvydas Liorancas was free to enter Britain, just what does a foreign criminal have to do to be turned away? Inevitably, the issue is complicated by the free movement directives and edicts issued by Brussels which have eroded our border controls. In most instances, Britain must throw its doors wide open to the citizen of a fellow EU country, even convicted criminals. But the rules do allow the UK to turn away the worst offenders. Liorancas, as a convicted armed robber, fell into such a category. The problem in his case is that we had no idea he was travelling to the UK. Lithuania, with other EU member states, has given an undertaking to warn us if a danger man may be heading our way so that he can be stopped from going through passport controls. But the system breaks down entirely when, as in the Liorancas case, the home country of the offender does not keep its side of the bargain. Chillingly, Liorancas is only the latest in a long line of Eastern Europeans to slip through the net. Earlier this month, a senior judge demanded to know why another Lithuanian, child-rapist Victor Akulic, was let into Britain, where he went on to rape a woman. The Mail understands that, in this case, Lithuania again failed to inform the Home Office of his history or possible intention to travel. Last Friday, it emerged that a sexual predator from the Czech Republic who had murdered his wife was able to travel to the UK where he carried out a knifepoint rape and three serious sex attacks. Ministers have made one specific change to the rules which could prevent an exact repeat of the Liorancas case. Now, whenever a person is extradited from Britain that information is passed to ACRO (ACPO Criminal Records Office) which assesses the case. If it shows a public protection risk ACRO asks the UK Border Agency to place a marker on its watchlist. But unless a person has been previously extradited, we remain utterly reliant on other EU member states fulfilling their obligations to warn us of any convict intending to travel.  Ultimately, they know that they have countless free movement directives on their side. Cynically, . they may even take the view that they would rather have their murderers and rapists living in Britain.What is most worrying is that it is impossible to know how many men like Liorancas are already here. And if we did not count them in, how are we to get them out? Heartbreak: Michelle Kirwan and her brother Avtar Kolar break down in tears as they speak about their love for their murdered parents . Tearful: Ms Kirwan told the press conference that after her family learned of the killing 'the light was switched out in our lives and our hearts have been broken forever'
Accused: Rimvydas Liorancas, drinking with kicked out of the UK. Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, who way into the UK illegally, on the second occasion authorities had no idea Liorancas was even in the The jobbing builder targeted Mr and Mrs Kolar, 62 and 58, after he was employed to do some work on area of Birmingham. The couple, who were married for 40 years, were found on January 11 by their who were bludgeoned to death with a hammer . Liorancas was a career criminal whose string of had been charged with the brutal murder of Avtar and Carole Kolar, who were bludgeoned to death living in Britain undetected for almost a year. He had somehow made his way into this country extradited back to Lithuania in 2009. Once home, in the UK. Jail: Liorancas was found hanged in . building work on their patio as part of a gang