21 May 2010

Renata in custody

6:29 pm on 21 May 2010

A convicted rapist who had been on the run for weeks has been found in Gisborne.

Maka Renata, 24, gave himself up on Friday morning, after police surrounded a house in Gisborne.

He was spotted by a member of the public, who alerted police.

Renata appeared in Gisborne District Court on Friday afternoon, and was remanded in custody to Hawke's Bay Regional Prison on a burglary charge, relating to an offence allegedly committed while he was under intense supervision in Napier.

He was released from prison last year after having served 10 years for rape. He disappeared from Napier several weeks ago.

Police say it is likely further charges relating to his breach conditions from prison will be laid when he goes back to court on 4 June.