Abduction bid allegation woman's bid for attention

A British woman who made a false allegation about an attempted abduction in Queenstown in November was ''after attention'', Judge Michael Turner heard in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.

The 24-year-old, who has interim name suppression, admitted making a false statement to Sergeant Tracy Haggart at Queenstown on November 12.

She stood crying in the dock as Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin read the summary of facts yesterday.

He said the woman contacted her partner at 11.40pm on November 11, alleging a man had attempted to abduct her by pulling her into a vehicle on Robins Rd.

Her partner went to her aid and called 111.

Sgt Collin said general duties staff from Queenstown Police were dispatched and the defendant signed a written statement for Sgt Haggart.

She told police she had been drinking in town and was walking home past the Queenstown Primary School on Robins Rd.

The woman said she noticed a green-coloured van with double doors at the back, parked on the school-side of the road, with the passenger window down and two men inside.

As she walked past, a male in the passenger seat asked her for directions, she said.

The woman told police the male reached out of the window and grabbed her right shoulder, attempting to pull her in.

She said she pushed back against the van, broke free and ran home where she sent a text to her partner and told him what had happened.

The next morning police sent out a media release, resulting in several requests for interviews and ''widespread reporting'' on the internet.

A detective visited her that afternoon to check on her wellbeing and get her to point out where the alleged incident took place, to enable a forensic photographer to take photos there.

She was also advised of the requests for interviews.

''It was then she admitted to making a false complaint,'' Sgt Collin said.

''She had been walking home from town, a person in a van had asked her for directions, but nothing else.

''She was just after some attention and didn't realise it would get out of control.''

Defence counsel Sonia Vidal sought for the matter to be adjourned for a discharge without conviction application to be made.

The woman had seen a doctor and a psychologist and had been diagnosed with ''severe clinical depression'', Ms Vidal said.

Judge Turner granted the adjournment but said the defendant had caused ''considerable inconvenience to the authorities by making up stories''.

Interim name suppression was continued until March 9 when the application will be heard.

 

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