Fugitive back behind bars in NZ

Kris Willoughby. Photo / Facebook

A fugitive who allegedly dodged border controls and fled to Australia is back on New Zealand soil and behind bars.

Kris Willoughby, 30, was freed from prison in September only to allegedly defy the conditions of his release and fly from Auckland to Brisbane in late October.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and Australian authorities were told.

The alleged offending made headlines at the time because it happened in the same week convicted murder and child molester Phillip John Smith fled the country.

Willoughby appeared in North Shore District Court this morning charged with breaching prison release conditions.

Because of the nature of the hearing, none of its contents can be reported.

The defendant will be back in court on Tuesday when a bail application will likely be made by his lawyer Geoff Anderson.

He was remanded in custody without plea by Judge Brooke Gibson.

A Department of Corrections spokeswoman previously confirmed Willoughby had completed a sentence which was "significantly less" than two years.

Customs said he used a valid passport to leave the country and there were no alerts in the organisation's computer system to prevent him from doing so.

While in Australia, Willoughby was convicted on charges of wilful damage and receiving tainted property on December 8.

Southport Magistrates Court confirmed he was fined A$2500 ($2681) and ordered to return the property to its rightful owner.

Australian police did not respond to questions over how they failed to detain Willoughby at the time, despite his being a wanted man.

However, It all ended last Thursday when the fugitive was arrested by police again and detained.

Queensland Police said he was handed over to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection yesterday morning.