Alleged Royal Hobart Hospital escapee pleads not guilty to dozens of charges

A prisoner who allegedly fled police custody at the Royal Hobart Hospital while receiving medical treatment, remaining at large for several days, has pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges.

A PRISONER who allegedly escaped police custody from the Royal Hobart Hospital, triggering a large-scale manhunt with a helicopter, has entered pleas of not guilty to dozens of charges.

Dale Howlett, 26, appeared via video link in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday, after he allegedly fled police guard on February 11 this year while receiving medical treatment.

Tasmania Police alleged at the time that Mr Howlett remained at large for several days until February 14.

Mr Howlett has now pleaded not guilty to one count of escape and one count of resisting a police officer along with scores of breaching family violence order charges, breaching bail and contravening conditions of a notice.

Breaking News Breaking News Dale Howlett. Picture: Tasmania Police

He also pleaded not guilty to stalking and bullying, emotional abuse or intimation and using a carriage service to harass another person.

On Tuesday, the court heard prosecutors would seek advice on whether all charges would be proceeded with, or whether some of the charges “would be subsumed into the stalking charge”.

Magistrate Jackie Hartnett remanded Mr Howlett in custody until May 9, when he will be brought to court in person.

“It looks like things are happening but there’s a lot of work to be done,” she told the alleged offender.

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Originally published as Alleged Royal Hobart Hospital escapee pleads not guilty to dozens of charges