Escaped prisoner recaptured

Police have captured a prisoner who had been on the run for a week after making a well planned escape from Papakura District Court.

Teratutonu Herewini was found at a residential address in Otara at 4.50am today.

Herewini had escaped after he assaulted a female Security Guard, scaled the gate of the secure Papakura District Court car park and ran to associates who were waiting for him in a stolen car on March 10, police said.

He will appear in the Papakura District Court this morning on charges of escaping lawful custody and aggravated assault.

Papakura CIB said it expected to make further arrests of persons who assisted Herewini in his escape.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF