David Johnson: Accused South Coast prison escapee fronts Nowra Local Court
After a ten day manhunt across the state in a scene reminiscent of The Great Escape, the only star jumps this accused jailbreaker will be doing is from the comfort of his own cell, his lawyer says.
The South Coast News
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A prisoner who allegedly led police on a ten-day manhunt across the state after escaping a South Coast minimum security jail is “not going anywhere” after one of his first appearances in court since being recaptured.
David Johnson, 44, fronted Nowra Local Court on Tuesday, days after his dramatic arrest brought the widespread search to a screaming halt.
Johnson allegedly escaped South Coast Correctional Centre on January 29, triggering a frantic police search involving public appeals, a police helicopter scouring Nowra, and his face appearing on local television during major sporting events.
He was finally tracked down on February 7, 200km away from the Nowra region in the ACT.
Around 4.30am that day, police stormed an apartment block on Dooring St, Braddon, after concerned calls about a man acting strange in an underground carpark.
Police found Johnson in a stairwell, arresting him and taking him to the ACT Watchhouse.
That afternoon, he was extradited to Queanbeyan Police Station, where he was charged with inmate escape from lawful custody, taking and driving a conveyance without consent and larceny.
He first faced Parramatta Local Court the next day, with his case adjourned to Nowra Local Court on Tuesday.
During this mention, his lawyer, Anthony Stewart, confirmed Johnson had been returned to the prison he allegedly escaped.
“He’s not going anywhere,” he said.
Magistrate Lisa Viney, speaking to Johnson via video link from custody, adjourned the case again to allow the DPP to determine if they would take control of the matter.
Before proceedings ended, Stewart strongly advised his client to keep consulting with his legal team before entering pleas.
Johnson will return to Nowra Local Court on February 25.
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