Cat and Mouse: Norfolk Constabulary Warn Julian Assange

The Norfolk Constabulary are supposed to be catching the hacker who stole the "Climategate" e-mails from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia. But a policeman's lot is not a happy one; instead, the Norfolk Constabulary seem to be supervising the parole of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who is living at Ellingham Hall, the ancestral country estate of the U.K. libertarian Vaughan Smith.

The Norfolk Constabulary reports that Assange was given a warning after he was tardy for his court-ordered daily check-in, a condition of his bail.

CNN (1-5-11) reports:

"Julian Assange has been given a verbal warning after reporting for bail outside the agreed time," the Norfolk Constabulary told CNN. "He has been reminded he could be arrested should it happen again."

Assange reports to the Suffolk police, probably because they have a nearby station, although the Norfolk police are in charge of Assange.

The Guardian Blog (1-5-11) explains:

2:50pm: Norway's Dagens Næringsliv is reporting that Assange arrived late for his daily police check-in yesterday evening and Beccles police station had to be kept open 25 minutes after its 5pm closing time.

Anne-Marie Breach, a spokeswoman for Suffolk police, said Assange was told he must adhere to his bail conditions - which were to be at the station at any time between 2 and 5pm daily - and the incident had been reported to Norfolk police (his bail address is in Norfolk). Assange was warned that further action may be taken, which could see him referred to court, if he was late again.