US$1m bail for kidnap-case New Zealander

ELLINGTON - An American court yesterday set bail at $US1 million ($1.44 million) for a New Zealand man charged with attempted kidnap of a teenage girl in California.

Lauren Kiredor Flint, 30, pleaded not guilty. Judge David Szumowski scheduled a preliminary hearing for June 30.

The 14-year-old girl, whose name has been suppressed, told the San Diego court that she escaped from her attacker on June 9 by landing a karate chop on his jaw.

Flint is charged with attempted kidnapping, assault with intent to commit a felony, lewd acts with a child and indecent exposure.

Flint, who has only been in the US for a month, could find his stay extended to six years - in prison - if convicted.

The girl said she was walking home from school when a man in a red truck - whom she identified in court as Flint - pulled over to ask directions.

"He said he was lost and had to get to Ocean Beach," the girl said. "He asked if maybe I could get in the car and show him where OB was."

She told him no, but he persisted, exposed himself and tried to grab her. She hit him and ran off.

- NZPA