Police have arrested a 29-year-old man over an alleged attempted kidnapping. Photo: Albert McKnight
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.
Multiple bystanders were forced to step in and help a child escape when her scissor-wielding father allegedly tried to kidnap her after repeatedly assaulting her grandmother.
An ACT Policing spokesperson alleged a 29-year-old man, who isn’t named to avoid identifying his daughter, forced his way into a home in Palmerston around 9 am on Saturday (14 February).
He allegedly assaulted his daughter’s grandmother, then took the girl outside before arming himself with a pair of scissors and going back in.
He then allegedly tried to take the grandmother’s car keys before assaulting her again and trying to break into her car.
“Members of the public intervened, allowing the child to be freed from the man,” the police spokesperson said.
“He fled through nearby backyards before police arrested the man shortly after.”
The man was charged with attempted kidnapping, burglary, possessing an offensive weapon with intent, assault, attempting to drive a motor vehicle without consent, theft and trespassing.
He faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (16 February), where his lawyer, Eimear Silk of Legal Aid, said health professionals recommended he be taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.
But this was opposed by prosecutor Mark Wadsworth, partly due to the allegations in the matter and the risks of him escaping from an adult mental health unit.
“It took multiple bystanders to apprehend the defendant,” he said.
The prosecution’s position was that the man did not have mental health struggles, but had issues with drugs.
Mr Wadsworth said the second of two recent reports showed the man becoming increasingly agitated and demonstrating some delusional behaviour.
“How is that delusional?” the man said loudly.
“That’s a real thing.”
It was unclear what he was referring to.
“Why don’t you take into account my whole f-ing life story?” the man also said while Mr Wadsworth was speaking.
Ms Silk said there was nothing in her client’s history to suggest that he would try to escape from custody.
“At the end of the day, the mental health professionals have said he needs to go to hospital,” she said.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the prosecutor rightly raised concerns, including about the daughter’s safety.
But she said there was nothing about the man’s circumstances that meant she should depart from the normal course in matters like this, which was that a defendant be taken to hospital for a mental health assessment when professionals recommended this be done.
She ordered that the man be taken for such an assessment. He will return to court at a future date.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT on 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
If you have been affected by sexual violence, or someone you know has, you can report it to police by attending a police station or phoning 131 444.
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