Hour-and-a-half of freedom for fugitive

A prisoner who allegedly assaulted a police officer and escaped custody in Nelson today had 90 minutes of freedom.

Kane John Thompson, 21, escaped while being escorted from the Nelson Courthouse to Nelson police station about 3.05pm. He was recaptured about 4.35pm.

Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said Thompson was found by police officers in a garage in Seymour Avenue in Nelson.

He was taken back into custody without incident.

Mr McGurk said Thompson was to be charged with aggravated assault, escaping custody and unlawfully on property.

He will appear in Nelson District Court tomorrow.

One of the officers who was escorting Thompson received bruising to her left eye but was otherwise uninjured.

- NZPA