Drunk kidnapper locked up

A MAN who violently kidnapped a stranger at a Gold Coast shopping centre and forced her to drive for 30 minutes will be released after serving little more than a year in prison.

The 26-year-old woman was on the phone at the time of the kidnapping on March 4 last year and police were able to call the woman and speak with her assailant over Bluetooth.

Andrew Stephen Bush’s release comes despite the violent kidnapping taking place less than a week after he had been given a suspended sentence and probation for beating his former partner in a two-hour ordeal.

The 48-year-old claims he was so drunk he did not remember the abduction until he saw CCTV footage of the attack on the news the following day.

Bush pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court yesterday to kidnapping, entering a vehicle with intent and common assault. Judge David Kent sentenced him to three years in jail with parole release on March 16.

Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy said the woman was leaving Robina Town Centre while on the phone to her mother when Bush grabbed her hair braid and arm, telling her to get in the car.

“She began screaming and honking her horn,” she said.

“He said, ‘stop screaming, I will kill you’.”

Bush grabbed her jaw and told her to drive.

The woman did so despite not being able to see. Ms Guy said Bush then released his grip and told her to get on the M1.

During the drive, Bush took some beer from a paper bag and offered the woman a drink.

The court was told the woman’s mother had alerted police, who phoned the frightened daughter.

“The phone rang and she answered it through Bluetooth and it was police,” Ms Guy said. “They asked if she was alone, he told her to say ‘no’ but she said ‘I really can’t answer that’.”

Ms Guy said Bush then told police it was okay and he was her boyfriend.

Bush later told the woman he “could not go back to jail”.

Ms Guy said the woman was able to convince Bush to let her pull over, which she did at the Smith St exit of the M1.

The court was told Bush surrendered to police the next day after seeing himself on the news.

“It would have been terrifying for her but also her mother who was on the phone hearing some of it,” Ms Guy said.

Defence barrister Sarah Thompson, instructed by Bamberry Lawyers, said Bush was so intoxicated he did not remember the incident.

Judge Kent activated Bush’s suspended sentence for the attack on his wife, revoked his probation and resentenced him to two years in prison.