Police have arrested prisoner who escaped from a courthouse this morning.
Shane Archbold, 36, who has a history of violence, absconded from Christchurch District Court shortly after 10am while in the custody of Corrections.
Police said they found him shortly before 1pm and have charged him with escaping lawful custody and resisting arrest.
Shane Archbold: the public had been warned not to approach him.
It is still unclear how Archbold escaped before his pre-trial court appearance.
There is one public exit from the multi-storey Durham St courthouse. Closed circuit security cameras monitor the entrance/exit, which is also manned by several security staff, and cameras are throughout the building.
Archbold, who has a distinctive pentagram/star tattoo on his throat and neck, is understood to be facing an assault charge.
Police said today: "Canterbury Police would like to thank the public for their help in reporting sightings of the man, which ultimately led to his arrest."