Teen explains why he 'legged it' after quake

Christchurch Central Police Station. Photo / Geoff Sloan

A 17-year-old says he "legged it" from a police car because he was too frightened by earthquake aftershocks to go into the high-rise Christchurch Central Police Station.

Shannon Michael Robert Nicholl took off through the open door of a patrol car as it arrived at the police station on April 13, after his arrest on violence and robbery charges.

Defence counsel Nick Rout explained to the Christchurch District Court that Nicholl was "fearful to enter the station due to after-shocks - he had not been in a high rise during or since the earthquake".

"He realised next morning what a silly thing he had done, rang the police, turned himself in, and has been here ever since," Mr Rout told Judge Robert Murfitt at a court sitting inside the Christchurch Men's Prison today.

Crown prosecutor Marcus Zintl opposed Nicholl's release on electronically-monitored bail, because he faced serious charges of injuring and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm arising from an altercation at a party, and an allegation of an armed street robbery while he was on bail.

Mr Zintl said it was alleged Nicholl had used beer bottles as weapons in both incidents.

Mr Rout said bail should be allowed because of Nicholl's age and the close oversight that would be imposed by electronic-monitoring with an ankle bracelet at his mother's address in Avonhead.

Judge Murfitt granted bail, remanding him on strict conditions to June 3. He will not be allowed to use non-prescription drugs or alcohol while on bail and will have to undergo a breath-screening test if the police request it.

- NZPA