Further charges against kidnapper

A Rwandan-born man charged with kidnapping a seven-year-old girl and public indecency faces two more indecency charges.

Benjamin Mangirane, 21, unemployed, told a Wellington District Court judge he knew nothing about an attempted abduction on March 28, which was foiled by a passer-by.

The charges added today allege Mangirane committed two further indecent acts in public - one at Berhampore School on March 19, another on the street where he lived on March 13.

They were added to other indecency charges, including one allegedly carried out at South Wellington Intermediate School last December.

In addition to the kidnapping and indecency charges, he also faced charges of wilful trespass and of breaching his conditions of intensive supervision and community work.

Judge Chris Tuohy remanded Mangirane in custody until a depositions hearing on May 5.

The judge denied a crown request to carry out a psychological assessment of Mangirane, saying it was too early in the proceedings and he seemed fit to stand trial.

The charges follow an incident on the morning of March 28.

A seven-year-old girl, waiting at traffic lights at the intersection of Adelaide Road and Britomart Street in Berhampore, was picked up by a man who attempted to carry her off.

A passer-by heard the girl's screams and challenged the offender, who put the girl down and fled on foot.

- NZPA