A prisoner who broke out of Lower Hutt District Court and caught a taxi to a friend's place will face tougher security when he reappears in court after being recaptured.
Matthew Kidman, 31, smashed a perspex sheet to escape the court on Thursday afternoon, sparking a search of the Lower Hutt city centre by armed police.
CCTV footage showed him, wearing just socks without any shoes, calmly walking to a taxi, which took him to a friend's house in the suburb of Naenae, where he borrowed the money to pay the fare, Fairfax reports.
Police searched several houses in the Hutt Valley and were able to pick him up later in the evening in Wellington because his car had been linked with acquittances.
Kidman had been facing dishonesty and driving charges, and now faces a charge of escaping from custody.
It was the second time armed police have searched for Kidman. In 2008, he skipped bail on firearms charges.
NZN
