Tifiga Atanoa

Tifiga Atanoa

The cancer patient who eluded police for five days returns to court later this month to be sentenced on firearms and escaping charges.

Tifiga Atanoa, 34, went into hiding in June last year after failing to appear in court on drugs and firearms charges. He told associates he was dying of cancer and had nothing to lose and would do anything to avoid going back to prison.

He was a known methamphetamine addict, had firearms and police believed there may be a shootout if he was cornered.

He was caught without incident and last week in Manukau District Court was convicted of five charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and one of escaping from custody. He was acquitted on two assault charges and one of aggravated robbery.

When he was caught he had a large tumour from his lymph node cancer on the right side of his neck but when he appeared in court last week the tumour had disappeared.

Detective Steve Greally said police had not been told details of Atanoa's health or if the cancer tumour would kill him.

"We haven't been privy to any of that information from the time we arrested him and obviously he doesn't have to tell us anything.

"Outwardly he appears fine."

Mr Greally said the tumour had completely disappeared but he told the court he was still sick.

When he was on the run police said he was extremely dangerous and had only a short time to live. He told numerous sources he would not be taken by police and "will continue to offend until he dies".

He was known to have a pump action shotgun and at least one other firearm and police said he was probably committing crimes to fuel his methamphetamine addition.

His mother Nia and father Tasipale urged him to put down the guns and give himself up.

- NZPA