Custody remand on escaping charge

File photo / NZH

A prisoner who allegedly used another offender's identity to get released on bail was remanded in custody to Friday at a brief appearance in the Christchurch District Court today.

Billy Steven Cooper, 19, unemployed, was charged with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice by using another prisoner's identity to get bail, and with escaping from custody.

He entered no pleas and made no application for bail at an appearance before Judge Michael Radford.

Cooper was caught without incident by police making an unrelated inquiry on Friday night, five days after they say he got released on bail by using another prisoner's paperwork.

He had been in custody awaiting an appearance on firearms and robbery charges.

- NZPA