New details have emerged of the chase and fight that sparked a 106-day manhunt for William Stewart.
The 48-year-old this week pleaded guilty to 45 offences, including 23 burglaries, during more than three months on the run in the South Island.
A police search began after Stewart's violent struggle with
a lone policeman on February 10.
The officer was acting on an arrest warrant issued over Stewart's breached parole conditions following his release from prison late last year. He had been jailed in 2007 for kidnapping and assaulting his partner.
The policeman saw Stewart in a stolen vehicle sparking a 30-minute, 80km chase.
According to the police summary of facts, Stewart repeatedly crossed the centre line, hit speeds of 160km/h, drove blindly through intersections and used his handbrake to skid around corners.
The officer blocked Stewart on a track leading to the Rangitata River, South Canterbury.
The pair struggled and the officer punched Stewart to subdue him. Stewart grabbed an iron bar which he swung at the officer before driving off.
Court documents also reveal Stewart had a mystery accomplice during his time on the run.
He became something of a folk hero known as Billy the Hunted One after he carved a thank-you note signed with the nickname into a table at one of the homes he broke into.
