Escaper assumed namesake’s identity

Press, 6 November 1986, Page 6

Escaper assumed namesake’s identity

PA Auckland Wardens at Mount Eden Prison released an inmate when they confused him with another of the same name, the District Court at Auckland was told yesterday. “The inmate knowingly accepted the release, knowing it was not his, and also accepted the other fellow’s clothes on the way out,” said the prison superintendent, Mr Humphrey Stroud.

The mistake six weeks ago was discovered within an hour when pointed out by the prisoner due for release.

Raymond Hessey Tuatari, aged 27, who appeared in court yesterday, had his original prison sentence doubled. The Court was told that

Tuatari was arrested on Tuesday when a police patrol found him repairing a stolen car. He pleaded guilty to converting the car and was convicted and jailed for. nine months, to be served when he completes his present nine-month term.

A duty solicitor, Mr Robert Ludbrook, said Tuatari made the most of his freedom, finding a job as a labourer in Penrose. “He says he had a good future there, but obviously that is going to be a very short future,” Mr Ludbrook said. Judge Augusta Wallace said she was amazed to see that Tuatari ended his “brief period of freedom” being, caught doing the same thing that had landed him in jail.