Escaped prisoner Rodney Turner, 28, charged, captured after 72-days on the run
An escaped prisoner, accused of spending more than two months on the lam in Alice Springs, has been caught, charged and hauled before a judge. Read the latest.
More than two-months on the lam has ended with an escaped prisoner being hauled before a judge in Alice Springs, charged with escaping police custody, beating his partner, and more.
Rodney Turner, 28, appeared in the Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday, months after he allegedly escaped police custody late in September.
Mr Turner appeared in court handcuffed, dressed in a jet-black T-shirt with a white logo and black shorts, with long hair and a beard.
While he said “good afternoon” to Judge Alan Woodcock, Mr Turner stayed silent throughout the rest of the brief proceeding.
He has been charged with seven counts of aggravated assault and three counts of breaching a domestic violence order.
He has also been charged with one count each of choking, making threats to kill, escaping custody, trespassing after being asked to leave, and assaulting a member of the police force.
No plea was entered on Tuesday, but Mr Turner’s lawyer Madeleine Ulbrick said it was “expected” there could be a plea to some charges – which are spread over six files.
He was rearrested on Monday, December 1 – 72 days later after his initial alleged escape – in the Alice Springs suburb of Braitling.
While being arrested, he was tasered, police said, as he had allegedly “refused to follow directions and attempted to flee from police”.
NT Police accused Mr Turner of “actively avoiding police”.
Mr Turner was put on a 12 month good behaviour bond after being given a suspended sentence for aggravated burglary and damage to property on May 2.
On June 11, his suspended sentence was activated after he breached his order, with Judge David Bamber sending him back behind bars.
He’d previously been sentenced to six months jail for aggravated burglary and damage to property charges.
Police also said they believed Mr Turner “camped out in multiple locations across the southern region” while on the run.
Police further alleged while on the run Mr Turner assaulted his partner “multiple times”.
Mr Turner is alleged to have absconded from the Alice Springs Hospital on September 20, where he was receiving treatment, NT police said at the time of his arrest.
On Tuesday, Mr Turner’s lawyer Madeleine Ulbrick sought an adjournment for the matter, which prosecution did not oppose.
It was granted by Judge Woodcock, who remanded Mr Turner in custody.
His matter will return to court on January 14.
Originally published as Escaped prisoner Rodney Turner, 28, charged, captured after 72-days on the run
