Identity of Mill Park dad who tried to drag a 27-year-old Moonee Ponds woman into car concealed

A man who allegedly attempted to kidnap a woman after failing to convince two young girls to get in his car has convinced a court to temporarily conceal his name due to fears his family will face “retribution”.

A court has allowed the identity of an alleged kidnapper to be concealed.

A man who allegedly attempted to kidnap a woman after failing to convince two underage girls to get inside his car has convinced a court to temporarily conceal his name due to fears his family will face “retribution”.

The Mill Park father is facing two counts of attempted kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated burglary following the terrifying ordeals in Whittlesea, in Melbourne’s northeast, last week.

The 39-year-old was pulled over by police and arrested in Shepparton 14 hours later.

The man made his first appearance in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he was seated in the dock between custody officers.

The Mill Park father is facing two counts of attempted kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated burglary.

He spoke only to detail his numerous prescribed medications and addiction to painkillers.

“I was on a lot of painkillers when I had my surgery. I got addicted to the painkillers,” the man told the magistrate.

The accused man was granted an interim suppression order preventing his name from being made public due to concerns his children would face retribution for his alleged crimes.

“This is a unique situation, children are involved in the brief and there is potential for retribution in the community,” his lawyer said.

The gag order will be tested in court on Tuesday where a magistrate will decide whether evidence supports the ongoing suppression of his name.

It’s alleged the man first stopped two girls – aged 13 and 14 – riding scooters on Oak Bank Blvd just after 6pm on Friday October 25.

One of the teens, Ally Hawking, said he came up close to them, asked for directions before attempting to usher them into his car.

“He said ‘come have a look in the back of my car,’” Ally told 9News.

The girls managed to flee unharmed before the man allegedly set his sights on a separate woman.

Police allege he pulled his grey Mitsubishi Triton ute up on Forest St before attempting to drag a 27-year-old Moonee Ponds woman into his car.

The alleged abduction, captured on CCTV, occurred just 20 minutes after the teens were approached.

Residents reported hearing the woman’s screams as she fought off her attacker.

She managed to free herself before he took off in his car.

The accused was arrested by police just after 9am on Saturday driving on the Midland Hwy in Shepparton, about 150km from Whittlesea.

The court heard he suffers from methamphetamine withdrawals and chronic pain syndrome.

He will return to court on Tuesday.