Woman, 19, allegedly abducted from Cairns street, assaulted, head shaved and held captive for days

A teenager was allegedly kidnapped from a Cairns North street and held captive for two days where she was assaulted multiple times, including with a weapon, and her head shaved.

Detective Acting Inspector Cindy Searle. Picture: Peter Carruthers

A teenager was allegedly kidnapped from a Cairns North street and held captive for two days where she was assaulted multiple times, including with a weapon, and her head shaved.

The woman’s terrifying ordeal began on June 13, with police alerted to the alleged abduction on Saturday afternoon by a member of the public who reported that a woman had been taken from the corner of Sheridan and Charles Street.

The Westcourt woman was allegedly assaulted by an older woman who pulled up near her, then forced the 19-year-old woman into the car, and repeatedly assaulted her again inside the vehicle.

Acting Detective Inspector Cindy Searle said said the pair were known to each other and there did not appear to be a wider threat to the general community.

“It will be alleged the woman took the victim to a property and refused to let her leave,” Detective Inspector Searle said.

“The circumstances ... are very specific to the people involved and we don’t hold concerns for the broader public.”

She said the woman was alllegedly held against her will and assaulted repeatedly between June 13 and 15.

Police investigations are continuing following the alleged horror kidnapping.

Police located both women in Sheridan Street on the afternoon of Sunday, June 15, with the alleged victim, 19 taken to Cairns hospital for treatment and another woman, 34, charged with a series of offences.

The 19-year-old woman, whose head was allegedly shaved while she was held captive and allegedly suffered a number of injuries, has been released from the hospital, with police saying she is receiving support.

A Townsville woman from the suburb of Belgian Gardens, Kaidii Dayl Ephaums, 34, is facing 14 charges in relation to the matter, including torture, deprivation of liberty, five counts of common assault,a ssault occasioning bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed/in company, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, possess utensils and driving a motor vehicle without a driver licence.

The matter was mentioned in Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday before Magistrate Sandra Pearson and Ephraums was represented by lawyer Corey McKibbin but did not appear in person or via video-link.

No application was made for bail and Ephraum was remanded in custody for further mention on August 5.

Police said investigations were continuing, anyone with information was asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.

Originally published as Woman, 19, allegedly abducted from Cairns street, assaulted, head shaved and held captive for days