Sisters in court over ‘kidnap’ of toddler in Primark

TWO teenage sisters appeared in court yesterday charged with kidnapping a toddler from a Primark store in order to sexually assault her.

They are said to have taken the two-year-old, who was a stranger to them, for almost two hours, sparking a frenzied city-wide search.

at a court hearing yesterday, the sisters, aged 13 and 14, spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth. CCTV evidence is said to show them leading the little girl away from newcastle upon Tyne city centre by the hand.

The prosecution said witnesses told police they overheard the girls telling the toddler they were taking her to see her mother.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found in a park in the suburb of Gosforth an hour and 45 minutes later. The sisters, who cannot be identified either, are charged with kidnap ‘with the intention of committing a relevant sexual offence’ contrary to the 2003 Sexual Offences act. In addition, they face two counts of theft from shops – dummies from Boots and baby milk and a bottle from a Sainsbury’s store.

They will also face a separate charge of kidnap, this being without the sexual intent.

Wearing jeans, a denim shirt and a parka, the fresh-faced younger sister sat in silence during the 30-minute hearing at the Youth Court at north Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

as the prosecution outlined its case, the older girl, who wore jeans and a hoodie, yawned and clasped her hands in her lap.

Family members did not attend the hearing but the girls were accompanied by social workers.

neither entered any pleas at the hearing and the case was adjourned until June 7 when the trial is listed to start at north Tyneside.

District Judge Roger elsey told the defendants they were to be remanded into the care of the local authority.

John Wesencraft, defending, said the girls would need intermediaries to help them understand the case as it unfolded.

‘Baby milk and a bottle’