Crowd gathers for glimpse of kidnapping accused

By GREGG WYCHERLEY in Taumarunui

Nine days after baby Kahu Durie was snatched from her mother's arms, her alleged kidnapper faced his accusers in silence.

A group of people waiting outside the Taumarunui District Court yesterday was the only indication that the hunt for the stolen baby had finally ended.

About 20 journalists and photographers clustered around the back entrance to the court, while bemused New Zealand Post workers looked on.

Just after 9.30am two unmarked police cars arrived. A man wearing police-issue white overalls and holding his hands over his face was visible in the back seat of one of the vehicles.

Detectives hustled the man past the media and into the court.

Standing about 170cm tall and slightly built, he was a nondescript sight as he walked, hunched over, into court.

Wearing grey socks but no shoes, he continued to hide his face from the cameras with his hands.

"He's just a skinny little fella," jeered one of the people outside the court.

As he stood in the dock his grey beard was visible under his police-issue white hood, but his head was otherwise completely covered, making it impossible to tell the colour or length of his hair.

He walked into the courtroom flanked by two detectives, avoiding the gaze of the journalists sitting on the press bench opposite. The court was empty apart from four curious locals and a small number of detectives.

The accused stood quietly facing the front of the court with his hands clasped behind his back as the charge was read out.

He was charged with carrying off Kahurautete Anaha Durie without her consent with intent to hold her for ransom.

As Detective Sergeant Derek Webb read the police summary of facts the defendant kept his head down, blinking rapidly.

Defence lawyer Anil Jaichand did not apply for bail but asked for interim suppression of the man's identity.

Mr Webb supported the suppression application and also asked the court to suppress the summary of facts and any other details of the prosecution case.

When justice of the peace Ralph de Raat asked the defendant if he had anything to say, the man shook his head and mumbled "No".

Both applications for suppression were granted and the man was remanded in custody until his next appearance in the Lower Hutt District Court on Friday.

More than 50 people gathered outside the court were unable to get a closer look at the man when police whisked him away through an alternative exit.

The anger was palpable.

A voice from the crowd piped up: "You mongrel, they took you out the back door."

Full coverage: Baby Kahu kidnapping


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