Son may offer clues in Carmen murder case

Brad Callaghan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The 5-year-old son of murdered escort Carmen Thomas could play a key role in the police investigation against his father, child experts believe.

But detectives will have to handle any interviews with Jack Callaghan with extreme caution because of the unpredictable nature of child testimony, they say.

Brad Callaghan, 32, was arrested on Tuesday after a 10-week inquiry into the murder of his former partner, Remuera's Thomas.

Jack has been cared for by a relative since his father's arrest.

Auckland psychiatrist Hugh Clarkson said: "We know that kids ... can get various quite distorted views about parents after separation and they can tell quite different stories from one parent to another ...

"If the police had any sense they certainly wouldn't be trying to glean anything about the nature of the relationships and so on.

"I think it is also very important not to ask leading questions or re-traumatise the child."

Clarkson, who has interviewed children in police inquiries, said that Jack would be struggling to come to terms with his mother's death.

"It's a hard enough concept for adults," he said.

A child psychologist, who declined to be named, said Jack would be able to provide police with useful information about whether his parents got on well.

There were internationally recognised guidelines on how to interview children in criminal cases, she said.

"You would not be asking leading questions. There are protocols in court where children are witnesses," she said.

In an interview with the Weekend Herald in August, Callaghan said: "Jack misses his mother.

"I have spoken to police at length and given them all the help I can. I hope they are successful in finding Carmen as soon as possible."

While the police investigation into Thomas' murder intensified, Jack continued to be cared for by his father.

In recent weeks friends of Callaghan told how the murder accused was getting increasingly stressed.

Thomas' family also spoke of their fears that her killer was still on the loose.

Criminologist Greg Newbold said police would interview Jack in the hope that he could offer clues to his father's behaviour and the death of his mother.

"Without a doubt they'll interview him about his father's behaviour and anything the child might have seen. But they'll have to be very careful.

"The child will have a counsellor there to monitor the situation, probably his own lawyer."

- Additional reporting, Anna Leask