Police are hunting a violent offender who disappeared from
his Westport house less than month after being released from
prison on parole.
Joshua Andrew Garlick, 23, was sentenced to two years and two
months jail for punching a man unconscious, hitting another
over the head with an iron bar and escaping police custody in
June last year.
"Don't approach him or get involved in any confrontations
with him, but phone police immediately," Greymouth police
intelligence supervisor Rodney Beckett said.
Garlick served 17 months before he was paroled on November 2.
He disappeared from his Derby St home in Westport, about
11.30pm on Tuesday.
"He has got many associates in Westport," Mr Beckett said.
"We believe he is possibly with one of his associates, who
may be harbouring him."
At his sentencing it was revealed Garlick, who had serious
drug and alcohol problem, had five previous violence
convictions and one previous escape conviction.
Judge Noel Walsh noted he had a poor record in complying with
community-based sentences.
Garlick appeared before the parole board in September, which
said there was a "relatively high risk" in releasing him on
residential restrictions, but prison had little to offer him
before his release in May next year.
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