Earthquake nuisance back in jail

File Photo

Lyall Anzac Hetariki, whose aimless poking about has proved a nuisance since Christchurch's earthquake, has been recalled to prison.

However, the recall order to serve the rest of an earlier prison sentence will only keep him out of circulation until Monday when he is due for release anyway.

Hetariki, 39 and unemployed, pleaded guilty yesterday to two charges of being caught in controlled areas after the quake, Christchurch Court News website reported.

Defence counsel Moana Cole explained today that he had mental health and addiction issues, and had a head injury.

"He will always be assessed as a high risk of reoffending but you can't just keep locking these people up forever."

When Hetariki came back before the Christchurch District Court today, Judge Raoul Neave said he favoured giving him a sentence of community work for being caught twice inside restricted areas of the inner city.

Police have described him as a nuisance but Judge Neave said there was no evidence of any more sinister intent.

He found he could not impose community work while Hetariki was back in prison so he remanded him in custody to return to court for sentence on Tuesday when another judge may - or may not - decide that the community work should be imposed.

- NZPA