Escaper loses appeal

Wellington: Convicted murderer and sex offender Phillip John Smith has lost his appeal against a conviction for escaping from prison in New Zealand in 2014, when he fled to Brazil.

Smith had argued that Brazilian authorities did not follow due process in deporting him, and New Zealand authorities failed to question this.

However, the Court of Appeal has ruled Smith failed to prove there was any abuse of process that would justify overturning his conviction.

Smith had earlier admitted escaping from lawful custody and passport fraud. — RNZ