A man who the police believe escaped custody in 1979 was brought before Resident Magistrate Glen Brown in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

The police say they have arrested Michael Lindsay, but he told the court that his given name is Devon James, and he was not the person being sought.

The court was told that on May 12, 1976, Michael Lindsay was jailed after being found guilty of murder. It is alleged that Lindsay escaped custody in 1979.

James' lawyer, however, told the court that his client denied being Michael Lindsay and also denied the allegations of escaping custody.

The matter is to be mentioned on August 12.