Prison escaper guilty of aiding city centre ambush

One of New Zealand's most notorious prison escapers, Arthur William Taylor, has been found guilty of being part of an ambush of guards escorting him in central Wellington.

A jury in the High Court at Wellington yesterday wrote the latest chapter in the life of the career criminal, finding him guilty of escaping, being party to gunman Manu Royal kidnapping the officers, but not guilty of being party to Royal having an air pistol with intent to help Taylor escape.

On March 22, 2005, Taylor was taken from Rimutaka Prison to a CYFS meeting when Royal ambushed the sentenced prisoner and his escorts in a car park.

Royal and Taylor's wife, Carolyn, have already pleaded guilty to charges relating to the escape, and been sentenced to jail terms.

Taylor, 51, defended himself and gave evidence that he was not part of any plan.

He said he feared for his life when Royal appeared with a gun and only went with him while he worked out what to do. Taylor was caught more than an hour later.

The High Court trial was a chance for Taylor to tangle again with crown prosecutor Ken Stone, who first prosecuted him more than 20 years ago.

Taylor has several convictions for escaping, and is one of the few men to ever escape from Auckland Prison at Paremoremo.

He is currently serving eight years' jail for having drugs and what the Court of Appeal described as an arsenal of firearms.

Police also found $66,000 cash in a storage unit at Paraparaumu, to which Taylor's wife led police soon after their wedding in December 2004.

When he was arrested on those charges, Taylor was recalled to serve the end of an earlier term, leading to his presence in Rimutaka on the day of the escape.

During the trial, the jury caught glimpses of Taylor's colourful past and his reputation for being "No 1" for having unauthorised cellphones at Rimutaka.

A Corrections officer said two officers normally accompanied prisoners on outings but "given it was Arthur William Taylor and I was aware of some history" he sent three officers.

Taylor is to be sentenced on October 12.