Man accused of making intimate recordings bailed for birth

File photo / NZ Herald

A man charged with breaking into houses and making intimate recordings has been granted bail to help his wife give birth.

Sione Falala appeared at the Auckland District Court today by audio-visual link from the Mt Eden Remand Prison while his pregnant wife looked on from the public gallery.

Judge Roderick Joyce QC said the police summary of facts alleged Falala was caught with computer memory sticks.

Mr Falala's lawyer Michael Kan said although his client had the sticks they could belong to another person.

He said none of the witnesses were able to identify his client.

Judge Joyce said Falala was tracked by a police dog handler and when caught said: "It's me, I've done wrong."

Mr Kan said it was not clear what his client was referring to at the time.

Judge Joyce said: "Please, Mr Kan, on a Friday afternoon?"

Mr Kan said he was applying for two weeks bail on compassionate grounds because his client's wife was due to give birth on Monday. He said Falala has two sons and there was no one to look after them while his wife gave birth.

Judge Joyce said he would grant bail but added a 24-hour curfew and told Mr Falala the bail would be "short-term".

He allowed Falala to drive his wife to the hospital for the birth.

"I know babies don't have a habit of arriving on their expected date but two weeks is a bit of a stretch."

He said the arguments put forward around the alleged admission to the police dog handler were "silly".

"He's created his own mess."

Falala is due back in court later this month.