18 Aug 2020
Phillip John Smith appeals conviction for leaving country
Prison escapee and sex offender Phillip John Smith is back before the courts today to appeal his conviction for fleeing overseas. Smith skipped the country in November 2014 while on temporary release from Spring Hill prison using a passport under his birth name, Traynor. He was sentenced to 2years and 9 months jail for the escape. RNZ's Jonathan Mitchell is at the Court of Appeal.