Kidnapper's own child died says wife

By STAFF REPORTERS

The man who snatched baby Kahu Durie at gunpoint and then cared for her for a week had been a doting father who lost a son.

Terence Ward Traynor, who yesterday pleaded guilty to kidnapping the daughter of Donna Hall and High Court judge Eddie Durie, lived most of the past few years alone but had a family.

His estranged wife, who did not want to be named, told the Herald yesterday that the couple had a son but he had died at the age of five 20 years ago.

Traynor had been a good father and had a kind heart, she said.

"He would never have hurt that baby [Kahu]," said the woman, who was shocked to discover that Traynor was the kidnapper.

Although they had been apart for years, she wanted to see him again, even in prison. "I've got to for my sake."

Traynor, a 54-year-old unemployed spraypainter, lived on Waiheke Island until he moved to Taumarunui this year.

But he spent most of his formative years in Lower Hutt, not far from the scene of his well-planned swoop on Donna Hall, a prominent lawyer, and 8-month-old Kahu two weeks ago.

In the Lower Hutt District Court yesterday, Traynor pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the kidnapping and the threats he made to Ms Hall and her two nieces.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing on May 24.

A police statement read to the court revealed details of how Traynor planned and executed the crime:

* He had mulled over the idea of kidnapping a wealthy New Zealander for four years before selecting Ms Hall out of a Sunday Star-Times "rich list" which estimated her to be worth $10 million.

* In January, Traynor bought a Taumarunui house and fitted it out to hold his hostage, nailing up plywood to make it soundproof and renovating the interior so his victim could be imprisoned in part of the house.

* After making regular trips to Lower Hutt to watch the family's movements, Traynor decided in March to ditch his original plan of kidnapping Ms Hall and targeted Kahu instead.

* On the day of the kidnapping, he used decoy cars fitted with stolen number plates to cover his tracks, and dumped his getaway car in a specially rented storage shed before driving to Taumarunui with Kahu when his escape route was clear.

* He made his demands for $3 million in a ransom note three days later and followed it up with a phone call to Ms Hall. He asked for one-third in $100 bills, one-third in $50 bills and the rest in gold South African Krugerrands.

In an interview with the police, Traynor told detectives he was prepared to wait until June for the ransom to be paid. If it was not, he would have handed Kahu back unharmed. He was happy to have Kahu with him, he said.

He was motivated by money, believing the family could afford to pay.

Traynor has an extensive police history, including several firearms-related crimes.

TVNZ reported last night that he had been convicted of armed robbery in Australia in 1987.

TVNZ also reported that Traynor had shot a neighbour's dog on Waiheke Island six years ago.

The dog's owner, Alton Shinnick, said police told him at the time not to confront Traynor.

"The cops said if you had done something to him, tried to hit him or something, he would have taken it one step further, maybe pulled a knife on me or something," said Mr Shinnick.

But Norm Burnand, who was Traynor's landlord last year, said he had been helpful and pleasant.

He had taken pride in the house and its property, planting native trees and developing walking tracks through bush on the section.

"The whole thing seems strange - it seems he's a totally different fella to what we knew," Mr Burnand told the Weekend Herald.

A boating mate of Traynor from Waiheke Island, Roy Skinner, was shocked to learn he committed the kidnapping.

"It's about eight years I've known him. I've never found him anything else but a great friend," he said.

"He was a panelbeater by trade and he used to come round and give me a hand with my cars."

They owned 7.6m keeler yachts and often sailed together.

"He used to take off ... cruising by himself for a couple of months," Mr Skinner said.

It is understood that Traynor has two adult children and keeps in contact with them.

Yesterday, he wore a tie and a cream jacket when he appeared in court. He stood with his hands behind his back and quietly uttered "guilty" to each of the five charges.

Traynor's family in Lower Hutt said they had not seen him for several decades.

"Like every family in New Zealand, our family was happy and relieved to hear of the safe return of Kahurautete Durie to her parents earlier this week," said a family statement.

"It came as a dreadful shock to learn that the man being held for this despicable crime is an estranged member of our family."

Police said last night they had no evidence Traynor had taken any particular interest in anyone else as a possible target.

The charges Traynor will be sentenced on carry long prison sentences. The maximum for kidnapping is 14 years.

He also admitted two charges of threatening to kill (seven years) and one each of committing a crime with a firearm (10 years) and aggravated wounding (14 years).

Full coverage: Baby Kahu kidnapping