Dubbo: An Aboriginal elder sentenced for involvement in child abduction

A 49-year-old Aboriginal elder who was involved in a child’s abduction learns his fate in court. Read his sentence.

49-year-old man sentenced in Dubbo District Court for the involvement of taking a child. ​

A former sovereign citizen who was involved in the abduction of a child expressed his remorse in court.

The 49-year-old Aboriginal elder who now resides in Queensland appeared in Dubbo District Court via video link on Thursday pleading guilty to intentionally moving a child from parental control.

The Dubbo News will not name the offender – for legal reason – in an effort to protect the identity of the victim.

Documents tendered to the court state the man was involved in the abduction of a seven-year-old child after a school pick-up in December 2020.

The man was in a relationship with the child’s biological mother and assisted to take her child from primary school after losing a family court case in February that year, which gave parental rights to the child’s father.

According to the documents, the offender, the mother of the child and a few associates falsified a court document signed by the offender’s sister stating that the mother had a warrant and was eligible to pick her daughter up from school.

Dubbo Courthouse. Picture: Jedd Manning/Western Aerial Productions

A teacher on site notified the assistant principal who notified the police.

The mother accused the school of protecting “pedophiles” and “child abusers” and drove away with the child in the backseat.

The Australian Federal Police located the mother, child, the offender and an unidentified young girl sitting at a cafe in the Australian Capital Territory.

According to the facts read in court, the offender referred to himself as a “sovereign citizen” and told officers he has “more jurisdiction” than them.

Officers escorted the family to City Police Station where the child was picked up by her father.

The offender and the mother were placed under arrest.

Judge Karen Robinson read the offender’s submission saying the child was “unharmed” and “returned to her father shortly after” the offence.

“His involvement was taken under good faith at the time,” Judge Robinson said.

“He has a limited criminal history... I find his prospects of rehabilitation to be good,”.

She said the child’s mother participated in a “more extensive role”.

Judge Robinson convicted and sentenced the offender to 20 months of imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 months commencing on July 11, 2022, and expiring on March 10, 2024.