A woman who did a midnight runner in her nightclothes after her husband armed himself with a baseball bat wants him back home.
But today Christchurch District Court Judge Michael Crosbie took a cautious approach about releasing Toni Brendan Catlow, 43.
He adjourned the case for a day for more inquiries on whether Catlow could be bailed to his parents' address near Ashburton, or even back to his wife of 21 years, Joan Lorraine Catlow, in Christchurch.
Catlow is charged with possession of an offensive weapon - the baseball bat - on the day his wife disappeared from their suburban Dallington home last month.
Mrs Catlow, 39, was found alive and well two days later and her husband has been in custody since he was arrested on the weapons charge. He has also been charged with assaulting her with intent to injure in June.
Police prosecutor Nigel Wolland said Mrs Catlow had spoken to the Victims' Advisers group and wanted her husband to be granted bail so that he could be back with her.
Police still opposed bail, but they had contacted Toni Catlow's parents who would allow him to stay there on bail if it were the only option.
The couple's children are now in the care of Child, Youth, and Family.
