Dangerous men escape

Christopher Hatley (left) and Albert Karl Lenin Stretch

Wellington's most wanted man is on the run again, escaping from custody hours after appearing in court.

Christopher Hatley, 23, busted his way out of cells at Wellington District Court this afternoon, five days after the serial fraudster, burglar and P addict had been caught by police after months on the run.

Hatley and Albert Karl Lenin Stretch, 24 - another serial burglar - tore down a particle board partition, smashed their way out of the cell area and broke through two roller doors before escaping into Ballance St about 2.30pm.

Hatley, limping and barefoot, was last seen heading towards Featherston St while Stretch headed for Lambton Quay, Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Perry said. Despite a search of the surrounding area and properties the pair were known to frequent, there was no sign of them.

A third man in the same cell did not try to escape.

Police said both men were dangerous and desperate and should not be approached.

Hatley - described by police as Wellington's most wanted man - had been held in overflow cells at Wellington Central police station until his court appearance yesterday on a charge of assault with a weapon. Hatley had been carrying a wire garrotte when arrested. Hatley committed burglaries to support himself while on the run previously and, given he had no money when he escaped, was likely to do so again.

Stretch, from Porirua, had been in Rimutaka Prison and had appeared on robbery and burglary charges. He had tried to escape from a prison van in Kilbirnie last month but was caught by a guard minutes later after a chase.

Hatley is European, 1.77 metres tall, of medium to thin build. He has dark hair and a goatee beard and was last seen wearing black trousers and a black top.

Stretch is Maori, 1.71 metres tall, of medium to solid build. He was last seen wearing a dark long-sleeved top with horizontal stripes on the front, light-coloured knee pants with a blue pattern up the sides and black Chuck Taylor shoes. He was carrying a black jacket.

- NZPA