A prisoner is on the run after mistakenly being allowed to walk free from Whanganui District Court.
Ricky Shane Stampa, 27, had served two months of an 18-month prison sentence for driving offences when he reappeared in court on an additional charge on Friday last week.
Corrections Department central regional manager Jeanette Burns on Wednesday said that when the judge dismissed the charges Stampa was mistakenly released from custody, despite still having time to serve.
"This is a regrettable event and we will be examining the circumstances leading up to the release," she said.
It is the second time Stampa has been able to slip custody at the same court. In 2008 he managed to escape from cells at the rear of the courthouse after being sentenced to one year in prison for burglary. He then led police on a high-speed car chase through Whanganui streets.
Senior Sergeant Mark Chillingworth of Whanganui police said Stampa would be facing additional charges when he was arrested.
Police said that while there was no general danger to the public, people should not lend him a vehicle.
Stampa was described as European, of medium build and 175cm tall. He was last seen wearing a dark patterned sweatshirt over a red T-shirt, and dark blue track pants.
He is understood to have connections in Whanganui and Palmerston North.
NZN