A man dubbed Houdini because of his ability to escape from custody was handcuffed and flanked by two policemen when he appeared in court today.
Aaron Stephen Forden, 30, made a five-minute appearance in Whangarei District Court.
He faced a string of allegations, including becoming the first person to escape from the new, privately-run Mt Eden Prison in Auckland.
Some charges were laid when he was arrested on the night of the World Cup opening ceremony in Auckland.
Fordern stood quietly in the dock for his hearing before Judge Thomas Everitt.
