Notorious killer Phillip John Smith's revealed in his 18th parole hearing that he's been trading cryptocurrency in prison

He killed the father of a boy he sexually abused in the 90s, and fled to South America while on prison leave in 2014.

In his parole hearing, Smith pleaded to be released, stating his offending days were behind him.

That's despite him being caught with two phones last year, which he explained he used to provide legal advice to others, and trade cryptocurrency.

The Parole Panel recognised the cellphones were a serious breach and denied his application.

He's scheduled to have another hearing late next year.