Teen faces abduction trial

A teenager accused of abducting and attempting to abduct young children in Tauranga will face trial.

Tony Douglas Robertson, 18, has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 5-year-old girl on December 15 last year, and attempting to abduct another girl, aged 6, and a boy, 7, the previous day.

At a depositions sitting in the Tauranga District Court yesterday, Thomas Sutcliffe, Robertson's third defence lawyer since his first court appearance, conceded a prima facie case on all counts.

Community magistrate Robyn Paterson further remanded the accused in custody to the High Court at Rotorua on May 4 for a trial date to be set.

During his brief appearance the tall, slim Robertson stood in the dock with his back to the public gallery, on either side of which were gathered his family and supporters and those of the victims.

A judge will decide on Monday whether journalists can have access to the prosecution's written briefs of evidence in the case. More than 20 statements were handed to the bench.

- NZPA