Man breached bail by tailing Prince

A man who police say followed Prince Charles around the South Island has breached his bail.

Stephen Paul Fleet, 42, appeared in the Rotorua District Court yesterday after ignoring an order to fly directly to Rotorua after a previous court hearing in Dunedin.

Fleet, who police described as an activist, went to Auckland allegedly at the same time Prince Charles was there. He told police he drove to Rotorua after missing his flight.

Fleet appeared in the Dunedin District Court earlier this week on a charge of failing to appear in the Opotiki District Court in January for nine charges, including assaulting and resisting police, threatening behaviour, possessing a weapon, wilful damage and owning a dog which attacked. The charges relate to incidents in Opotiki and Matata.

Fleet's explanation for his non-appearance at Opotiki was he did not believe the New Zealand courts had any power over him.

It is alleged Fleet had been following the Prince of Wales around the South Island.

Judge Greg Hikaka remanded him on bail once again to appear in the Opotiki District Court on March 15.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)