Alleged kidnapper Laura Adele Hinks has change made to her bail conditions

The mother of five-year-old alleged kidnap victim Grace Hughes has had several changes made to her bail conditions, including who she can contact.

Laura Adele Hinks, who is accused of kidnapping her daughter Grace Hughes, has had several changes made to her bail conditions. Picture: Floss Adams.

The mother of five-year-old Darwin girl Grace Hughes has again appeared in court over her daughter’s abduction, with several adjustments to her bail conditions being made.

Laura Adele Hinks faced the Darwin Local Court on Thursday after being released on bail in August charged with kidnapping Grace from a Berrimah address on August 7.

Hinks’ lawyer Matt Hubber asked for three variations to be made to his client’s bail conditions, including removing two people from her non-contact list and changing her weekly reporting requirements.

Mr Hubber successfully had Mark Emmerson, with whom Hinks shares a child, removed from the non-contact list so the pair could co-parent their child.

Laura Adele Hinks is accused of kidnapping her five-year-old daughter Grace Hughes. Picture: Supplied/NTPFES

Mr Hubber also successfully had Hinks’ reporting conditions changed so she is now able to report weekly over the phone rather than attending the Humpty Doo Police Station because she does not have a car.

In the third bail variation, Mr Hubber asked for one of Hinks’ close friends to be removed from the non-contact list.

The court heard the friend was the last person Hinks contacted before she left Darwin with her daughter and the first when she returned.

The court also heard the friend drove Hinks to hand herself in to police.

“We say he wasn’t involved at all and there’s no real allegation that he was involved,” Mr Hubber said.

“I haven’t been provided with any material that would implicate him at all.

“There’s no allegation that he was involved in any pre-planning and, in fact, there’s no allegation that there was pre-planning. Not even Ms Hinks was part of any pre-organised planning.

“He is a close friend of my client. She’s going through a tough time at the moment.”

The prosecution argued that the friend was a key witness given his contact with Hinks.

Laura Adele Hinks leaves Darwin Local Court with her lawyer Matt Hubber after having her bail was granted in August. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“While he’s not involved in the offending itself, it’s not uncommon at all for defendants to not be able to contact key witnesses,” the prosecution said.

“There are certain matters that haven’t fully been investigated yet and we just can’t be sure.”

Judge Thomasin Opie denied the bail variation, meaning the friend would remain on the non-contact list.

“I am not willing to risk the possibility of contamination of … evidence,” she said.

Hinks will next appear in court on December 5 for a directions hearing.

Originally published as Alleged kidnapper Laura Adele Hinks has change made to her bail conditions