Talia Maree Manton charged with kidnapping in northern NSW, Lennox Head

A Northern Rivers woman stands accused of kidnapping a teenage girl and robbing her before she escaped from a car in an alleged wild episode on a busy roadway.

Talia Maree Manton faced Lismore District Court for a judge-alone trial.

A Ballina woman stands accused of kidnapping a teenage girl and robbing her before she escaped from a car in an alleged wild episode on a busy roadway.

Now, the defendant has claimed in a trial her alleged victim was experiencing a “drug psychosis”.

Talia Maree Manton faced Lismore District Court for a judge-alone four-day trial earlier this month. She pleaded not guilty to taking/detaining in company, taking/detaining a person to obtain advantage, causing actual bodily harm and robbery in company.

At court a witness took to the stand to give evidence. The woman said she was driving along The Coast Rd at Lennox Head in March 2023 when she saw the complainant, a 17-year-old girl, being chased by a woman.

The witness said she saw another woman – Manton – driving a car slowly near the scene at the same time, the court heard.

The court heard Manton and the woman pursuing the teen on foot were allegedly travelling in the same car before the incident unfolded.

The witness said the young teen – who was visibly distressed and “panicked” – ran towards her vehicle and banged on the window for help. She also said the teen was barefoot and described the incident as “out of control”.

A roundabout on The Coast Road, Lennox Head. Picture: Google Maps.

The witness stopped her car next to Manton’s and asked what was going on. The 27-year-old allegedly told her to continue driving.

The teenager was allegedly being chased near roundabouts on The Coast Road, Lennox Head. Picture: Google Maps

“(Manton) said just keep driving, seemingly wanting to get rid of me. She (allegedly) said the girl was having a drug psychosis,” the witness said.

The witness said the 17-year-old told her she had taken drugs but claimed the women were trying to kill her, the court heard.

The complainant gave evidence in court alleging Manton had allegedly stolen her jewellery in the car before the other woman allegedly hit her in the back of the head and shoulder with a blunt axe from the back seat, forcing her to jump out of the vehicle.

The teenager was allegedly attacked with an axe in the car. Picture: File

“I just got hit everywhere, I was dizzy and just trying to stay awake,” the complainant told the court.

The complainant said Manton was (allegedly) driving erratically over nearby roundabouts to try to run her over.

Manton gave evidence in court that she had a problem with methamphetamine use in the past.

Crown Prosecutor Sam Rigby submitted the witness saw the complainant in a distressed state banging on her car window and begging for help.

Police photographs were taken of the complainant’s head injuries, which were disputed by Manton’s lawyer Megan Cusack.

Ms Cusack said no axe was seen on CCTV footage or by the witness and the complainants injuries were not consistent with an axe injury.

She also disputed a chase and said “there was no chasing going on”.

“The complainant had a meth-addiction at the time … at this point she had no sleep and was constantly smoking ice.

“The complainant was possibly not thinking straight.”

Mr Rigby said Manton was on bail conditions with a curfew at the time of the incident, but had left home to pick up drugs.

Judge Sarah Hopkins will provide judgement on Thursday.

Originally published as Talia Maree Manton charged with kidnapping in northern NSW, Lennox Head