VICTIM A ‘REMARKABLE YOUNG MAN’

THE young Gold Coast schoolboy allegedly abducted in an potential extortion attempt is “a remarkable young man”, a high achiever in and out of the classroom.

So says a Somerset College parent familiar with the 12year-old – who police rescued on Saturday afternoon after an overnight manhunt.

The parent, who knew of him from chess and tennis events, said he had been “hor- rified, quite upset and scared for him” when hearing news the youngster was missing.

Police have also expressed concern about what effects the abduction incident might have on him long-term despite minor physical injuries such as scratches.

“He’s a bright kid with a friendly personality. He’s a really smart kid, and just a really nice boy,” the parent told the Bulletin.

The boy was a talented chess player, keen on sports and had a lot of friends, the parent said, revealing the incident sent shockwaves throughout the school community.

“The thing is with school nowadays it is different to when we were kids. Chess is celebrated and not for nerds anymore,” the parent said.

“For him as a child of such a high academic calibre he is also doing sports and has plenty of friends. He is a remarkable young man.”

Detective Inspector Marc Hogan said he was relieved when police managed to locate the boy on Saturday afternoon but feared for the impacts on the youngster.

“We don’t know what the long-term ramifications are for him as a person but I hope they aren’t too bad,” Det Insp Hogan said.

“It would have been traumatic.

“Thankfully, we don’t see this sort of thing much because it’s high-end serious stuff. We are so happy the boy is healthy.” fairly