Cleo Smith’s abductor faces court on new charge

The man who admits snatching four-year-old Cleo Smith from her family’s tent will now plead guilty to another charge.

The man who admits snatching four-year-old Cleo Smith while she was on a family camping trip has now also indicated he will plead guilty to assaulting a police officer.

Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, was arrested in the West Australian coastal town of Carnarvon in the early hours of November 3 — 18 days after the girl vanished from her family tent at the remote Quobba Blowholes campsite.

Terence Darrell Kelly being taken to prison in Perth. Picture: Colin Murty

Kelly faced Carnarvon Magistrates Court on Monday via video link from prison in Perth, where his lawyer indicated he would plead guilty to assaulting the officer after his arrest.

He will next face court on that charge on April 1 and is expected to formally enter a plea on that day.

Kelly previously pleaded guilty to forcibly taking a child aged under 16, and that matter was committed to the WA District Court for a sentence mention on March 25.

Cleo was rescued from Kelly’s locked house after detectives barged in. She was alone in a room, playing with toys.

Cleo Smith was found playing with toys. Picture: 60 Minutes

In a now famous clip released by police, the young girl told officers: “My name is Cleo.”

Several items were seized from Kelly’s home, including a Bratz doll and colouring pencils.

Kelly was arrested after he was stopped in his car nearby.

He was last publicly photographed in Carnarvon with no shoes, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and shackled as officers from the Department of Justice’s special operations group escorted him onto a plane bound for Perth.

Police also previously revealed Kelly had to be hospitalised twice with self-inflicted injuries while in custody in Carnarvon.

Cleo’s disappearance made headlines around the world, with a special task force established and a $1m reward offered to help solve the mystery.

Her mother Ellie and stepfather Jake Gliddon recently gave an interview to the 60 Minutes program and later announced their engagement.

Originally published as Cleo Smith’s abductor faces court on new charge