Unsafe cells stop warrant

Police have not sought a warrant for the arrest of a woman who did not show up to court because the Blenheim police cells are not earthquake safe.

The woman, who was charged with drink-driving for the third or subsequent time, failed to appear at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.

But Sergeant Mark Harris did not seek a warrant for her arrest because that would mean transporting her to cells in Nelson.

Harris said he did not see Andrea Davis, 50, as a danger to the public and they were not seeking bail conditions so she would be ‘‘at large’’ in the public anyway.

On hearing about the cell block, Judge Bill Hastings said the last earthquake had been some time ago.

‘‘So have people in those cells been at risk?’’ Hastings said. A member of the public gallery called out ‘‘yes’’ in response.

Harris said police had also been in areas deemed at risk.

Judge Hastings made a note that Blenheim police had not sought a warrant for the woman’s arrest because the cells were ‘‘seismically unsafe’’. He adjourned the appearance until August 5.

However, Judge Hastings did issue a warrant for the arrest of a man who failed to appear in court on assault charges on Monday.

Several months of seismic assessments at Blenheim police station revealed the 1993 ‘‘addition’’ above the cell block had ‘‘severe structural weaknesses’’, so neither were considered earthquake safe.

After receiving the findings this month, police moved all staff and people in custody from those parts of the building. Offenders who could not be bailed were transported to Nelson police station.

Marlborough Area Commander Inspector Simon Feltham said last week the cell block would be back in use within eight to 10 weeks.