Matthew Bolt represented a former warrant officer who had gone on the run following the imposition of a sentence of 21 months detention. The soldier was sentenced over a video link to his home address, where he was alone. The Judge Advocate then purported to make orders for him to remain there pending transport to MCTC. However, the soldier went on the run, only be arrested 12 months later.
Following legal argument, the Judge Advocate General ruled that the soldier was never in custody and thus had not escaped; causing the prosecution to offer no evidence. The case involved careful analysis of the law of escape and the rules surrounding military detention.
Matthew was instructed by Amanda Sheppard. Brig. Anthony Paphiti (Rtd) also consulted on the case.