4 Feb 2011

Escaped inmate back in court

5:36 pm on 4 February 2011

A man has appeared before Christchurch District Court charged with escaping police custody.

William Steven Cooper was in court on robbery and firearms-related charges on 24 January, but allegedly escaped custody by impersonating another prisoner.

He was located and arrested five days later.

On Friday, Mr Cooper was also charged with unlawfully getting into a car and attempting to pervert the course of justice, as well as escaping police custody.

He was remanded in custody to reappear on 10 February.