The alleged victim of an alleged car boot kidnapping is now wanted by police to answer a criminal charge in Queensland.
Nisha Phillips, 24, was due to appear at the Ipswich Magistrates Court near Brisbane on Friday. After she failed to show up, a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Just days earlier, she was allegedly found kidnapped and stabbed in the back of a Holden Commodore.
Latia Henderson, 18, who was allegedly driving the car, was pulled over by NSW police after a truck driver allegedly saw a woman’s hand waving out the boot of a white Holden Commodore driving down the Hume Highway near Pheasants Nest.
Kayley Lee Ketley, 24, was a passenger in the vehicle with Ms Phillips allegedly stuffed into the boot of her own car.
Nisha Phillips (pictured) was allegedly stuffed in the boot of her own Holden Commodore
The pair, who are both from Campbelltown in Sydney’s southwest, have been denied bail
A driver called police after allegedly noticing the 24-year-old’s hand hanging out of a broken tail light in the boot of the Commodore (pictured)
Police are investigating if the alleged kidnappers were on their way to Belanglo, a forest between Sydney and Canberra, the Daily Telegraph claimed.
Henderson and Ketley were both refused bail at Picton Local Court on Thursday.
Court papers reveal police allege that on Tuesday, February 2, both Henderson and Ketley went to an address in Claymore, Western Sydney, and allegedly stole Ms Phillips’ prized Holden Commodore before allegedly stabbing her and stuffing her in the boot.
Henderson’s lawyer Gazi Abbass made no application for bail on her behalf, telling media outside he was yet to be given instructions to fight the charges.
The 18-year-old appeared in court over video link from a police cell, wearing a white forensic jumpsuit and appearing largely emotionless aside from a small wave to her grandmother who was supporting her in court.
A disheveled looking Ketley was not represented by a lawyer but still applied for bail despite Magistrate Mark Douglass urging her not to.
‘These are very serious offences, please obtain some legal advice in relation to all matters,’ he told her.
But Ketley persisted unsuccessfully in her application, saying she would do whatever she needed to so that she could care for her sick grandmother.
‘My grandmother is very ill. I would be asking to be released to live at her address so I can care for her,’ she said.
‘I will report at least twice a day everyday. I will do whatever I have to to get bail.’
Henderson’s lawyer Gazi Abbass (pictured centre) made no application for bail on her behalf – with the 18-year-old remanded in custody
Police allegedly pulled the car over on the Hume Highway in Berrima, in the NSW Southern Highlands, on Wednesday morning
Both Henderson (left) and Ketley were refused bail to reappear in Campbelltown Local Court in April
When police opened the boot of the car near Berrima, they allegedly found Ms Phillips suffering stab wounds to her knee, thigh and forearm.
Police have charged both Henderson and Ketley with unlawful wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, detaining to gain advantage causing bodily harm and driving a vehicle without (the) owner’s consent.
Ketley was also hit with the additional charges of cannabis possession and driving while disqualified.
Ms Phillips remains in Liverpool Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Forensic police spent Wednesday combing over the car for evidence, with Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie praising the truck driver for his awareness.
‘[An] observing motorist saw a hand protruding from a tail light cavity in the vehicle and subsequently called police. It was stopped by police after [an officer] saw a hand also protruding from the tail light,’ Det Chief Insp Bernie said.
‘Some excellent work done by the motorist who identified the hand coming out of the vehicle and they subsequently notified police and we can’t thank the motorist enough.’
‘It’s very fortunate that we found this woman alive — we obviously think it could have ended quite catastrophically for her — we are fortunate no one was killed or seriously injured.’
Henderson and Ketley will return to Campbelltown Local Court on April 7.
Latia Henderson (pictured), 18, is alleged to have been driving the car containing the terrified 24-year-old alleged victim
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