Charges mount against alleged escapee

Charges are mounting against a teenager charged with escaping from the Christchurch Court House on January 24 by allegedly using the identity of another prison who was being bailed.

Several files were brought together for an appearance in Christchurch District Court before Judge Jane Farish this morning for Billy Stephen Cooper, unemployed, of the northern Christchurch suburb of Redwood.

He appeared in the dock with prisoner officers on each side, and with his wrists manacled to his belt.

He was arrested without incident last Friday, about five days after he had left the court house.

Police not only charged him with escaping but also wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice by using another prisoner's identity to obtain bail.

He has now also been charged with unlawfully getting into a car in early January.

Judge Farish also remanded him on earlier charges including drink-driving, dangerous driving.

He was next due to appear both on remand and at a pre-trial conference session on indictable charges on February 10.

- NZPA