A man gave police the slip by saying he wanted to pick up some clothes ... and then spent 42 days on the run.
Police caught up with Manuel Wiremu Parkinson - wanted for breach of bail - on October 19 when they found him at home.
When police told him he was under arrest, he asked if he could go inside to collect clothing before going to the police station.
While officers waited outside, Parkinson headed out through the back door of the building and fled. And it took 42 days before they caught up with him again.
Judge David Cameron outlined the facts in the Whanganui District Court yesterday.