Grammar boys sorry for snatching girls in kidnap prank

The trio should face court, the father of one of the girls says. Picture / Martin Sykes

Three Auckland Grammar students who tried to kidnap three St Cuthbert's College students as a prank have apologised to the girls' school's headmistress.

Auckland Grammar headmaster John Morris said last night the boys were very ashamed of what they had done.

The prank, which was videotaped, involved the boys, in hoods, jumping out of a van they were in and chasing the girls for several metres on to their school grounds on June 18.

"It was a prank on a Sunday morning and it's the responsibility of the parents as opposed to the responsibility of Auckland Grammar as it happened outside school hours," Mr Morris said. "The girls were told by the boys that it was a prank as they drove past ... Whether or not they heard is a moot point."

Mr Morris said he and the deputy headmaster had both apologised to the father of one of the girls.

The Grammar leader said he was not surprised that criminal charges had not been laid.

"The police understood and saw what was involved."

One of the girls involved, 14-year-old Hannah Kiely, told TV One last night that she had had lots of sleepless nights since the incident.

"I just want it to go away," she said.

Her father, Anthony Kiely, said the stunt was "stupid" and "pathetic" and charges should have been laid against the boys.