- Wednesday 8 September 2010
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Families' anguish as youth is bailed
The families of two young girls allegedly traumatised by separate abduction attempts fought back their emotions yesterday as the youth accused of kidnapping them was released from jail to his parents' home.
The accused, an 18-year-old labourer who cannot be named, was given strict bail conditions in the Masterton District Court, where he faces one charge of abduction and another of attempted abduction.
Judge Tom Broadmore's decision, pending a court-ordered forensic psychiatric report, came just weeks after Judge Oke Blaikie rejected a bail application to the family home, saying serious charges were alleged, and amid fears raised by the victims' families.
The defendant's lawyer, Louise Elder, said ''despite our best efforts'' the report had not been completed within the 14-day requirement and the defendant had remained in custody.
Judge Broadmore granted bail until the youth's next appearance on August 2, on the conditions that he keep a 24-hour curfew to his parents' home, that he not drive a vehicle and that he not communicate with any of the complainants.
The decision drew expressions of bitter disappointment from the victims' family members seated in the gallery.
Police allege that just before lunchtime on July 6, the accused grabbed a girl, pushed her into his vehicle and drove away in silence while she screamed at him to stop.
Police say the girl opened the door and leaped out of the vehicle while it was still moving, fracturing her hand in the process.
She was discharged from hospital after having seven stitches in her forehead and being treated for severe gravel abrasions and bruising to her body.
Police also say the accused tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl in Greytown last year, while he was still at secondary school.
One of the girls was in court yesterday, her arm still in plaster.
''She wanted to be there ... it's part of her healing process,'' her mother told the Times-Age. ''She's a very courageous kid and extremely brave.
''She's had great family support and her school has been absolutely fantastic.
''She will fight back, maybe she'll never have that complete trust again, but she won't be beaten _ I guarantee you.''
As a mother, the attack had taken a heavy toll on her as well.
''It's the most horrible feeling for a mother to suffer.
''I have anxiety attacks when I can't see her. ''At my first day back at work, I think I spent six out of 12 hours crying.
''It's had a huge impact on us, and one of the worst things is that she lost some of her well-earned independence, not because of what she's done but from other people's actions. It's going to be a long road for all of us to become cool, calm and collected again. Yes, we are disappointed that he is on bail but we had a fair idea that was going to happen.''
