Grace Hughes’s alleged kidnapper Juliet Oldroyd regranted bail after reported threats to police

Grace Hughes’ alleged kidnapper believes she is “answerable to God alone” a court has heard. During her latest bail hearing, a justice said she sent religious-themed threats to police.

An alleged religious zealot accused of kidnapping a five-year-old girl and sending threats to police has been granted bail.

Juliet Marie Oldroyd appeared in the Supreme Court in Darwin for a re-hearing of her bail application on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old alleged kidnapper looked down at her hands as her new representative, Mary Chalmers, addressed Justice Peter Barr.

Oldroyd is one of five people charged over the alleged kidnapping of Darwin five-year-old Grace Hughes from a supervised parental visit at Berrimah in August.

Police have alleged Grace was missing for 12-days, with a group claiming to have helped abduct and hide the child and her mother, Laura Hinks.

Laura Hinks, 34, and her 5-year-old daughter Grace Hughes were missing.

Oldroyd was initially granted bail, but lost it after allegedly sending a barrage of 4am texts to an officer only four days after being released from prison.

On Wednesday, Justice Barr said he had some concerns about releasing the woman.

“Her previous conduct is quite extraordinary,” Justice Barr said.

“There seems to be a heavy religious emphasis in her texts to this officer.

“which indicates to me that she has little regard for the law of the community.

“She sees herself as answerable to God alone.”

Juliet Marie Oldroyd, 50, been charged with abducting five-year-old Grace Hughes from Darwin.

Ms Chalmers acknowledged that the texts “legitimately raised concerns”, but said Oldroyd was under immense pressure at the time.

“I’m not instructed that my client is only answerable to God, and not the conditions of her bail,” she said.

She said a clinical psychologist said the 50-year-old was not in a “particularly great frame of mind” the night she allegedly sent 18 texts to her investigating officer at 4am.

Ms Chalmers said Oldroyd was sleep-deprived, coming off an anti-depression medication, and stressed after the Territory Response Group raid on her home.

Juliet Marie Oldroyd, 50, been charged with abducting five-year-old Grace Hughes from Darwin.

“They are ill advised. She sees that now,” Ms Chalmers said.

Prosecutor Ian Read said bail was opposed, and pushed for significant conditions to reduce the risk of future offending.

“She has shown quite a contempt, for not only the Northern Territory court, but importantly the Family Court as well,” Mr Read said.

Justice Barr approved bail under the conditions that Oldroyd would be required to wear an electronic monitor and provide hefty surety in case she breaches her conditions.

Oldroyd was ordered to remain at her Anula home, unless seeking legal advice or medical treatment or taking her child to school.

She was barred from contacting her co-accused or witnesses, including members of the Hughes family.

Oldroyd was also banned from publishing anything about the alleged kidnapping or threats to police.

The 50-year-old was supported by her mother, who both watched from the courtroom gallery and helped put up her $20,000 bond.

Oldroyd will next appear in Darwin Local Court on October 26.

Originally published as Grace Hughes’s alleged kidnapper Juliet Oldroyd regranted bail after reported threats to police