Man on kidnap charge

Court told adult and two boys held at knifepoint in car

A GORDONVALE man who allegedly kidnapped a man and two young children and forced them to drive him around Cairns at knifepoint may consider applying for bail.

Police allege Ben Hunter, 26, was armed with the knife when he forced his way inside a southern Cairns residence on Wednesday night.

He demanded a drink of water, then told the trio, which included boys aged 10 and 13, to get into their vehicle and drive him into town.

Police allege the 38-yearold man behind the wheel was directed to drive around Edmonton, Bentley Park and Woree for two hours.

The resident continually negotiated with the man and stopped the vehicle near Rav- izza Park at Edmonton. The man then allegedly got out of the vehicle and the driver sped off and called police.

Mr Hunter was taken into custody by Cairns detectives on Thursday night.

He appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday where it emerged he is subject to an involuntary treatment order.

Duty solicitor Richard Whitla said Mr Hunter had initially instructed him to apply for bail on his behalf, but it was withdrawn after being told mental health unit staff at Cairns Hospital did not believe he needed to be admitted.

Magistrate Sandra Pearson said the offences appeared to be “very serious” and police had raised concerns about him potentially being released on bail. “(Police) raised the concern about, not just mental health issues, but potential drug offences,” she said.

Magistrate Bentley said, even if Mr Whitla had made a bail application, it was unlikely she would have granted it at this stage.

“Just given the extreme nature of the charges in my view and the underlying issues, and the fact that he’s in a show cause position given the allegation of a weapon being used, I wouldn’t be minded to grant him bail today,” she said.

She told the court he would receive care while in custody, including possibly for “substance misuse” if required.

The case was adjourned until April 26.