A man who flouted Covid-19 lockdown rules in the southern region has had his conviction quashed after a fundamental error was made by a duty solicitor and judge. Madigan entered his guilty plea after he had been denied bail and was to be remanded in custody. In a High Court decision released today, Justice Gerald Nation said the judge did not deny Maddigan bail to pressure or induce him to plead guilty. However, a "fundamental error" was made by the judge and duty solicitor. Justice Nation quashed the conviction.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 12, 2021 03:33 UTC