Prisoner glad to see police

Press, 17 June 1986, Page 6

Prisoner glad to see police

Ashburton reporter A prisoner who escaped from the Tongariro Prison Farm on Friday was apparently happy to see police when they apprehended him near Barnhill, in Mid-Canterbury, on Sunday night He was only lightly clad, In temperatures below zero. Donald Hughie McGillivray, aged 23, had apparently escaped from the prison farm on a farm motor-cycle which was found at Taupo. He told police he hitched rides to Wellington, rode across on a ferry hidden in the boot of a car, then hitched rides to Mid-Canterbury.

Ashburton and Methven police became involved at about 2 p.m. on Sunday when McGillivray was

seen in the Methven district. ' "

A dog was used without success, but another search was mounted about 7.30 p.m. when he was reported to have been seen again. Constable Roger Harris, of Methven, with help from a local farmer, found the prisoner near Barrhill.

Snow had been falling there earlier, and a frost was setting in. McGillivray told police he was about to give himself up anyway. ,

He appeared before Judge McAloon in the District Court at Ashburton yesterday, and was remanded to Taupo in custody on charges of unlawfully taking a motor-cycle and escaping from custody.