The girl, 11, who was allegedly abducted and raped on the way to school ‘will not be defined by this horrible injustice’, her principal has said.
Police allege New South Wales man Brett David Hill, 47, kidnapped the girl at knifepoint and sexually assaulted her for five hours on Tuesday, June 12.
The Newcastle primary school’s principal this week published a defiant message in its weekly newsletter describing the girl as ‘an absolute hero’.
Police forensics officers inspect the crime scene where the girl, 11, was allegedly abducted
Investigators scoured a park where the girl was allegedly kidnapped at knifepoint last week
Accused Adamstown Heights rapist Brett David Hill can be named following the lifting of a suppression order
Crime scene: The little girl at the centre of the ordeal has been described as an ‘absolute hero’
‘The last week has held many challenges for our school community,’ the headmaster wrote.
‘There is much to take heart from the wonderful way our community has come together to support the little girl, her family and each other.’
‘(Our school) will not be defined by this event, nor will the little girl who suffered such horrible injustice.
‘This little girl is an absolute hero. Her strength, composure and resilience has led to the police arrest which has made all Newcastle children safer.
‘She is a credit to her family and the teachers who have shaped the development of this amazing person.’
Meantime, the family have asked the school to pass on their ‘heartfelt thanks’ to its staff, community and classmates which was ‘making a real difference’.
Hill is yet to enter a plea on charges of alleged aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault and kidnapping.
The girl was allegedly abducted at knifepoint by Brett David Hill while walking to school
The school has stepped up security measures in the aftermath of the alleged attack, including texting parents at 9.30am when a student is marked absent.
Gates will be locked between set hours and the local council is also exploring clearing shrubs and grasses behind the school.
A non-publication order was made lifting a ban on publication of the Brett Hill’s name earlier this week.
Prosecutors told the court this week that the case had moved beyond circumstantial evidence.
Police had ‘preliminary DNA evidence’ and ‘disclosure of identity will not jeopardise this case’, prosecutors said.
His lawyer Rob Hussey reportedly said ‘saturated media coverage’ since the girl’s abduction meant there was a strong risk he would not get a fair trial if identified.
Media, including all major television stations and every major online metropolitan news website including the national broadcaster, published pictures of Hill this week.
However, the NSW Crown Solicitor’s office asked news outlets to remove the photographs because of the potential ‘risk it may affect the evidence of witnesses’.
‘It is strongly recommended (media) remove images and that there be no further publication or broadcast of photographs of Mr Hill and that any online photographs be taken down,’ a spokeswoman said.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.