Grandmother disguised boy to hide him: police

A SEVEN- year- old boy allegedly had his hair dyed and was given glasses and a fake name by his grandmother in an attempt to hide the child from his father and authorities.

During a bail application for the 56- year- old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, Brisbane Magistrates Court heard a mobile phone wrapped in aluminium foil was also used to avoid detection by police after the woman left Townsville for NSW in March.

The grandmother took the boy because she was under the belief he was being sexually interfered with. This claim has not been substantiated.

The boy had been living with his grandmother since birth but access arrangements were in place with his father before the woman absconded, the court heard. But in a separate family court proceeding in Townsville yesterday, custody of the sevenyear- old was granted to his father.

The grandmother was yesterday granted bail, despite it being opposed by police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Chris Hutchings.

The woman cannot contact her grandchild, must report to police daily and wear a tracking device as part of her bail conditions.

The court has also heard allegations the grandmother was assisted by a network that’s helped other women flee with children. Defence solicitor Nick Hanly said there was no evidence before the court of the network. The woman will appear in court in Townsville next month.