Mother Faces Court as Police Shootout Claims Fugitive Father

The mother of three children who were on the run with their father, Tom Phillips, has appeared in court on a high-range drink-driving charge, just hours after Phillips was killed in a police shootout. Catherine ‘Cat’ Christey, 46, allegedly drove while more than three times over the legal alcohol limit, raising questions about her ability to care for her children amid ongoing legal troubles.

Phillips was shot dead by police on September 8, 2025, as he attempted to evade arrest on a stolen quad bike while fleeing with his eldest daughter, Jayda, aged 12. Jayda later assisted authorities in locating her younger siblings, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9, at a bush camp where the family had been hiding. The children were subsequently placed under the care of New Zealand’s social welfare agency, Oranga Tamariki.

Details of the Incident

Catherine Christey was stopped by police on August 2, 2025, while driving on Tauraroa Valley Road, approximately 50 kilometers from where Phillips had been residing with the children. Reports indicate that Christey had a blood alcohol level of 174mg per 100ml, significantly exceeding the New Zealand legal limit of 50mg per 100ml. In New Zealand, a blood alcohol level above 150mg per 100ml is classified as high range, carrying a potential penalty of up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of NZD 4,500.

Christey’s court appearance coincided with a tragic turning point in her family’s saga, as Phillips was killed during an armed confrontation with police. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as Phillips reportedly fired a high-powered rifle at officers, injuring one, before police returned fire, resulting in his death.

Impact on the Children

The circumstances surrounding the children’s lives have drawn significant attention. After being on the run with their father for nearly four years, the siblings have been removed from a life of isolation in the woods. They are currently under the care of Oranga Tamariki, and authorities have not yet disclosed when they will be reunited with their mother.

Leading criminal psychologist Dr. Tim Watson-Munro has raised concerns regarding the psychological impact on the children. He notes that the prolonged absence of formal education and social interaction, combined with the influence of their fugitive father, could have lasting effects on their development. Dr. Watson-Munro stated, “They have been living like castaways, without being educated or socialised as far as we know. Their objective reality would be a warped view of the world.”

As the legal proceedings unfold, Christey has been ordered to return to court in October 2025. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments impacting the family’s future.

Witnesses from the community where Christey had been employed as a farmhand expressed support for her work ethic during her time apart from her children. Clive and Sandra Morgan, for whom she worked, described her as a “good lady, very strong, physically, very normal and intelligent.”

As this story continues to develop, the focus remains on the well-being of the children and the challenges they face moving forward.