Convicted rapist appears in court after two weeks on run

A convicted rapist who spent two weeks on the run from police while out on parole has made a brief appearance in court in Porirua.

Hiro Joe was released from prison last year after serving four years of a six-year sentence for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in a Wellington park.

The 24-year-old failed to show up for a court appearance in Porirua last month after he was bailed on new charges involving kidnapping and a stolen vehicle.

Police issued a warrant for his recall to prison and he was eventually found in Foxton on Friday night.

He has now been remanded in custody until April 19.

- NEWSTALK ZB