Latia Henderson, Kayley Ketley may have been driving to Belanglo, police say

Belanglo State Forest may have been the destination for two women who allegedly stabbed and forced a third woman into the boot of her own car, police sources say.

Kidnap victim Nisha Phillips had been stabbed and forced into the boot of her own car when she smashed the tail light from the inside and stuck her hand out to frantically signal for help, police allege.

They claim two women were heading in the direction of the Belanglo State Forest in the stolen car.

Ms Phillips, 24, was in Claymore on Tuesday night with Latia Henderson and Kayley Ketley when police ­allege they attacked her.

Nisha Phillips.

Latia Henderson (left) and Kayley Ketley (right).

She was stabbed in her knee, thigh and forearm and stuffed into the white Holden Commodore, police allege.

It wasn’t until almost 12 hours later that a truckie, travelling down the Hume Highway, saw a hand push through a hole where a tail light should be and wave for help, it will be alleged.

Police converged and arrested the two young women who are listed as friends on Ms Phillips’ social media.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal police claim the car was headed in the direction of the Belanglo State Forest and they are examining the navigation systems used by the young women.

Outside Picton Local Court where a relative (centre) of Latia Henderson arrived for the young woman’s appearance. Picture: Perry Duffin

Police initially told the media they “think it could have ended quite catastrophically” for Ms Phillips if not for the intervention of the truckie.

“‘It’s very fortunate that we found this woman alive — we obviously think it could have ended quite catastrophically for her — we are fortunate no one was killed or seriously ­injured,” NSW Police Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said.

Henderson, 18, and Ketley, 24, appeared in Picton Local Court just after lunch on Thursday. Ketley failed in her bid for bail.

“My grandmother is very sick,” she pleaded over the video link. “I would be asking to be released into her care at her address so I can care for her … I would do whatever I have to do.”

But Magistrate Mark Douglass said he could not ­release her — her grandmother’s knee replacements did not justify bail.

Latia Henderson, one of the alleged drivers. Picture: Facebook

Kayley Ketley, 24, pictured on her Facebook page.

Ketley asked the magistrate what would justify her release.

“I don’t give legal advice any more,” he said.

“These are very serious offences, please obtain legal advice.”

Ketley ran her fingers through her hair and said she would accept Legal Aid help.

She silently left the stainless steel and perspex videolink suite in the remand facility which will be her home for at least the next eight weeks.

Lawyer Gazi Abbas did not apply for Henderson’s release and it was formally refused. Like Ketley, she looked forlorn in a white forensic jumpsuit on the audio-visual link.

Mr Abbas said he had no instructions on whether Henderson would fight the charges but said his client was distressed in custody, saying it was “jarring” for her.

The broken tail light of a Holden Commodore. Two women were arrested after the victim was found with multiple stab wounds in the boot of the car in the NSW Southern Highlands. Picture: Adelaide Lang

Anxious locals in Claymore said they hoped to visit Ms Phillips in hospital or speak with her when she was ­released.

Ketley has been charged with wounding a person with ­intent to cause grievous bodily harm, take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm, take and drive a conveyance without consent of the owner and driving while disqualified.

Henderson was charged with similar offences but driving while unlicensed.

Henderson’s grandmother arrived at the courthouse with two heavily tattooed men.

She refused to speak to media waiting outside and tried to cross the road to avoid questions.

Sources are said to be investigating if the car’s navigation system had been programmed to the forest south of Sydney.