Dunedin bail breach: Prisoner arrested after missing flight to funeral

A police spokeswoman confirmed a 38-year-old man was arrested at an Oban St property in the Dunedin suburb of Highgate yesterday morning.

“[This was] in relation to a breach of bail conditions. The man sustained dog bites during his arrest and was transported to hospital for treatment.”

A prisoner given compassionate bail to fly from Dunedin to Wellington for a tangi instead allegedly missed his flight, was picked up by his partner and was subsequently arrested after police went to a property on Oban St near Columba College in the Dunedin suburb of Highgate yesterday. Image / Google Maps

A witness told Stuff that armed police and at least four vehicles were involved in the police response, which happened near Columba College around the time children were arriving for school.

The school later told parents that police said “at no time was there any concern for our school, nor did the situation pose any risk to our students or staff”, Stuff reported.

If someone was in prison on remand, waiting to be convicted or sentenced, compassionate bail to attend a funeral could be granted by the court, said Miles.

“In these cases, people on remand or their legal representative make an application to the court for bail.

“A judge decides whether to grant an individual bail and what conditions they must comply with, including when they need to return to prison.”