Court appearance for man who fled to Canada

Michael Farley. Photo / Supplied

A man charged with a violent sex attack on a prostitute in Canada has appeared in the Palmerston North District Court.

Michael Edward Farley, 41, appeared this morning on charges relating to perverting the course of justice, breaching home and post detention and creating a false passport.

It is alleged Farley cut off his electronic bracelet in July 2011 before fleeing to Canada on a false passport.

He left New Zealand before he was sentenced on charges relating to receiving stolen goods.

Defence lawyer Fergus Steedman said there were five charges before the courts and he had been instructed by his client to enter guilty pleas to two charges relating to the passport act and a guilty plea in relation to a charge laid by the Department of Corrections for breaching home detention.

A not guilty plea was entered to a charge of breaching post detention.

Mr Steedman said the matter of perverting the course of justice would need reviewing before any further action could be taken.

He told the court there would be no application for bail and his client was happy for all matters to be dealt with together.

Judge Tim Black remanded Farley in custody until February next year for sentencing and a case review.

Farley appeared in a black T-shirt with a bald head and goatee.

He showed no expression and kept his eyes on the judge throughout the appearance.

In March 2013, media in Canada reported Farley had kidnapped a sex worker in Vancouver and driven her to a secluded area where she was tied up and beaten.

Witnesses called 911 after seeing the 41-year-old victim being dragged behind a white van.

Police said the woman had jumped from the moving vehicle.

Farley was charged with eight offences including aggravated sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping.

He was sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment.

Palmerston North police worked with Interpol to have Farley extradited to New Zealand. He was deported last month and appeared in the Manukau District Court on November 9.

At the time of his escape, Detective Sergeant David Thompson said Farley had taken "extensive steps" to evade capture and had left New Zealand the same day he removed the bracelet.

The Vancouver Courier said Farley had lived illegally in Canada under the pseudonym Robert James Clarke while working as a handyman.