Edition 90
www.thecourier.es
Friday, November 9, 2012
COMMUNITY ON KIDNAP ALERT HEIDI WARDMAN Reports PARENTS in the peaceful area of Entre Naranjos have been left fearing for their children’s safety after the attempted abduction of an eight-year old British girl. And Torrevieja Council’s International Residents chief Graham Knight fears the would-be kidnapper may well try again – in any local town. The incident happened at approximately 12:45 on Sunday afternoon, when a group of local children were playing football in the recreational area. Ronni lives in Almoradi with her parents, but had spent the previous night at her friend’s house in Entre Naranjos. Her mother described how the group of some 10 children, had gone chasing after the ball, but Ronni had not wanted to play so remained alone by the swings. It was at this point she says she was accosted by
Fears grow after girl, 8, fights off abduction bid
the man, who grabbed her wrist and the scruff of her Tshirt, leaving visible marks along her collar bone. Reacting immediately, Ronnie is believed to have
kicked her assailant, forcing him to loosen his grip, before breaking free and running to the safety of her friend’s house nearby. On the same afternoon,
Ronni was taken for a routine medical examination before giving a detailed account of events to the police. She described her attacker as being around 5ft 10in, of slim build, with dark brown hair and a grey fringe. She said he was roughly shaven, had quite tanned skin and was possibly Moroccan. He was wearing a red T-shirt, blue jeans and black trousers.
The man was driving a white van, which one of the children in the group believes was a Peugeot Partner. He reportedly left the engine running and back door open when he approached the child. Several of the children say the van was parked in the same location for a prolonged period the previous day, and that the man was talking on the telephone and staring at the youngsters while they played. Ronni’s mother told The Courier she was proud of her daughter’s courageous actions, and grateful that the child knew what to do in such a situation. “We are all very shocked about what has happened,’’ she said, ‘’ but also what could have happened.
Ronni took it all in her stride. “We have gone to great lengths to educate Ronni in how to respond if threatened by strangers, and hope that other parents will take note and prepare their children in the same way. “If she had not been so quick to react, then the result could have been very different.” Meanwhile, Mr Knight warned: “Whilst this matter has been denounced and the security services are aware, it is quite probable, especially in view of the fact that the offender did not achieve his aims, he could well try again. “This could happen in any town in the area in any place where children congregate. “The offender was seen for about an hour before the actual attack, watching the children playing.’’ He urged anyone who sees a suspicious person answering the description above in an area near to where children play to call the police immediately on 112.
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