Laser-pointer offender caught in the street
Laser-pointer offender Tane Hemopo, who had disappeared rather than face his sentencing at court, has been caught walking along Colombo Street.
Hemopo, 39, spent some time in the police cells and made an appearance at the Christchurch District Court today, where he was remanded in custody for an appearance by video-link from the prison on October 17.
Hemopo had admitted two charges of causing unnecessary danger by shining a laser-pointer at two aircraft approaching Christchurch Airport.
Since that remand on bail for sentencing, Hemopo had been arrested on new charges of disorderly behaviour and wilful damage, and the Parole Board had decided to recall him to prison to serve more of a previous jail term.
Hemopo then apparently disappeared rather than head back to prison and he was not at court for the sentencing on the Civil Aviation charges before Judge David Saunders on Wednesday.
The judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Defence counsel Serina Bailey said today the recall to prison had been made on an interim basis at present and the full hearing before the Parole Board would be held in the next month.
She asked for the laser-pointer charges to be remanded so that she could prepare for a sentencing under the new circumstances.
It had been possible Hemopo would receive a community-based sentence but that would now depend on the outcome of the recall hearing.
Judge Tom Gilbert remanded Hemopo and told him pleas would be expected on the new charges at his next appearance.
Category: News
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