Arrest warrant issued for David Dougherty

David Dougherty in 2001. Photo / File photo

An arrest warrant has been issued for David Dougherty after he failed to appear at court yesterday.

Dougherty, who was previously wrongly convicted of the abduction and rape of an 11-year-old girl, was due to appear at Palmerston North District Court yesterday for sentencing for theft.

He is charged with stealing a wallet.

However he failed to show up and a warrant for his arrest was issued, said his lawyer Mark Alderdice.

The 45-year-old previously served three years in prison after being convicted of crimes against an 11-year-old girl.

At a 1997 retrial he was acquitted when new DNA evidence ruled him out of the charge.

He received a public apology and $868,728 in compensation.

In 2011, Dougherty was sentenced to 300 hours of community work and nine months' supervision for a burglary.