An 18-year-old accused of abducting a seven-year-old girl in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has been granted strict home-detention bail, days after his release was initially refused.
Barry-Peter Smith is alleged to have taken the child from a pram in Paralowie on October 5 as she walked home with her grandparents and sibling.
Police allege Smith watched the girl playing at a local park before following the family along Niven Drive. He is accused of grabbing her and running away while carrying her in his arms.
The child was allegedly released after a member of the public heard her grandparents calling for help and intervened.
Strict bail conditions imposed
Smith, who has been charged with child abduction, appeared in court this week and was released under strict conditions. He is prohibited from child-related work and must not go within 100 metres of a school or playground.
He is also banned from being near anyone under the age of 18.
The court heard Smith had allegedly made admissions to “kidnapping”. Concerns were nevertheless raised about his intellectual disability and whether he could remain in custody while the case progresses.
A magistrate had refused bail little more than a week earlier, finding Smith remained a risk to the community.
The girl’s grandparents, Aurelia and Brian Bandt, have said they are still struggling to come to terms with what happened and no longer feel safe going for walks since the alleged abduction.
Aurelia previously said: “I was yelling ‘help’, I was screaming ‘help’.” Brian said a passerby held out their arms to stop Smith, prompting him to put the child down.
Smith’s case is expected to return to court at a later date.
