Convicted rapist wanted by police hands himself in

A convicted rapist wanted by Christchurch police after he walked away from home detention gave himself up to Greymouth police today.

John Clarke absconded from home detention on Monday. He was due to end his sentence for rape next year and was released on home detention in preparation for his freedom.

"He wandered in off the street with a TV film crew," Sergeant David Cross of Greymouth police said.

"It was about 5.20pm. They were in a bit of a rush to get it on the 6 o'clock news."

Mr Cross said Clarke would be taken back to Christchurch and prison.

He said further charges against Clark would be over to the "parole people."

- NZPA