A man accused of using his partner's baby son to shield himself from police pepper spray has been declined leave from prison to attend his grandmother's funeral.
Zane Lewis, 22, is in custody following an incident on April 8 in which he allegedly held the 1-year-old in front of him
to block police pepper spray before locking himself, his partner and the child inside a Hawkes Bay property after police had approached him.
Police alleged he then escaped out a window. He was Tasered and caught as he tried to flee the property.
Lewis is awaiting a defended hearing date on charges of escaping lawful custody and aggravated assault.
In April, the court was told Lewis would defend the allegation he used the child as a human shield.
