An Ohakune man who missed a court appearance because he was "trapped" on Mt Ruapehu teaching kids how to ski this week promised a judge he wouldn't do it again.
Tai Trevor Haddon, 24, appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday for failing to answer district court bail.
Haddon was due to appear at the Ohakune District Court on August 16 to answer a charge of wilful damage, having broken a window at Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in late July. The court heard Haddon had in fact appeared that morning, however the matter was stood down for his employment details to be confirmed by probation officers.
Haddon said he then left the court and was not present when the matter was recalled because he was "trapped up the mountain with the kids". Duty solicitor Richard Leith said Haddon had a part-time job as a ski instructor for a kura kaupapa.
Haddon also said he worked both the ski instructor job and another, full-time job as a driver and also had to take care of a sibling in the mornings, but promised Judge David Cameron he would appear when he was next called to court.