Police hunt runaway kidnap accused

File Photo

Police are hunting a 31-year-old man due to stand trial on assault and kidnap charges after he failed to appear in court today.

Jason Damian Smith was due to appear in Palmerston North District Court to face charges following an incident in Levin in June last year.

A warrant for his arrest was issued earlier this year after he failed to attend another court date, central district police communications manager Kim Perks said.

Smith is described as Maori, about 178cm tall and of solid build with short cropped hair.

He has gang connections and has spent time in Wellington, Porirua and Wairarapa.

- NZPA