Killer accused visited by son

Brad Callaghan at a court appearance. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Murder accused Brad Callaghan has been allowed to see his 5-year-old son in prison, as the families of Callaghan and the little boy's slain mum Carmen Thomas disagree over who should take care of him.

Callaghan is accused of murdering the Auckland woman - his former partner and the mother of their little boy, Jack.

But Callaghan is regarded as innocent until proven guilty, and so he is allowed to see his son.

Carmen's mother, Teresa Scott, wants her grandson brought back to South Africa with her. She has told family she can't get closure on Carmen's death as long as Jack is still in New Zealand with Brad's family.

"The torment of never seeing Carmen again ... it's just too much to bear, it really is," said Carmen's aunt, Carolyn Lavagna.

It had been a shock when police laid charges against Brad, she said: "He was a loving partner and a loving father. He doted on Jack and I don't doubt he still does."

But Jack could not grow up in New Zealand, where his parents' names were well known.

"If Jack stays in New Zealand, children can be cruel," Lavagna said. "It will be a flat Christmas all round, I think."

Callaghan's father, Phil, told the Herald on Sunday Jack should stay in New Zealand.

He had spent time with his grandson, who was "really good" and "very happy" considering that he had - to all intents and purposes - lost both parents.

Jack had regularly been taken to visit his dad in the Mt Eden Prison's remand wing.

The prison provides a playground for children, where Jack had once played while Brad and his mum, Jennifer Roach, spent time together.

"They have a bit of a play area outside," Phil Callaghan said. "It's pretty good - it's done up well, it's great for the kids to get out and play. Jack and I played on things for about half an hour or so. I loved every minute of it - it was good."

Phil Callaghan said he did not think Carmen's family should take Jack to South Africa.

"I don't think so," he said.

"It's hard because Brad is here. Jack reminds me of Brad in the way he takes to sport and running. He seems to be getting on quite well with Brad's mother."

As for the alleged killer, he said Mt Eden was a far cry from Brad's schooldays at Auckland Grammar - although the two institutions neighbour each other.

But his son was coping well in prison.

"He has improved out of sight. He is in far better shape."

They did not talk about what happened to Carmen, Phil Callaghan said, or how she died.

"I am preparing myself that it will be difficult to hear what happened."