Gospel artiste Lloyd 'Father' Reese, accused of escaping from prison in 2003, was remanded until November 21 when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, although he asked RM Judith Pusey that his matter be thrown out.

Reese, who was captured last year, was unrepresented when he appeared in court.

When the matter was called up, a dapper-looking Reese, dressed in a white shirt, khaki pants and a tie smiled as he entered the docks.

"Your Honour, you did not wish me happy belated birthday," he said to RM Pusey while still smiling.

RM Pusey wished him a happy belated birthday and Reese proceeded to argue his case.

"Your Honour, I wish to have the matter withdrawn if the witnesses are not here next time," said Reese. "I've been here for the past one year and five months and when you look at how much time I've spent in custody and the nature of the offence, I've spent the time already," said Reese.

"But you know more law than me man," said RM Pusey.

"Your Honour, the witnesses are not coming to court and the arresting officer is not coming, so I'm asking that the matter be dismissed. If you sentence me to one day then it could be used against me later this year when my parole comes up," said Reese.

However, RM Pusey reminded him that escaping custody was enough to work against him.

"Your Honour, when you look at the circumstances which surrounded my escape, my life was being threatened," he said.

Reese, who has been in prison since 1983, argued that the case be dismissed as soon as possible as he was sure the witnesses would not appear.

After hearing his arguments, RM Pusey set November 21 as the date when he could apply for the matter to be dismissed again.

Reese, who was convicted in 1983 for murder, escaped custody in 2003 after he was allowed to go to a recording studio. At the time of his escape, Reese was recording several gospel songs. He was held in 2005 during a raid in St. Elizabeth.