New details emerge on alleged kidnapper
EERIE STATEMENT
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"We want to eradicate this behaviour before a tragedy does occur in our community."
IT was an eerily prophetic statement from Port Douglas senior sergeant Damien Meadows just over two weeks ago.
He was responding to questions from Newsport on domestic violence against women following the alleged strangulation of a young girl in Port Douglas by a 24-year-old man.
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Newsport understands that man was, allegedly, Daniel Rooney; the 24-year-old local chef charged with allegedly trying to kill Port Douglas woman Jessica Hamill on Wednesday, who it's believed was also the alleged victim of the strangulation assault.
It has been revealed the pair had been previously dating.
Rooney is set to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today facing charges of attempted murder, strangulation, enter dwelling with intent, assault occasioning bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, fail to stop motor vehicle and breach of bail condition.
Hamill, 20, was allegedly kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The ordeal ended 16 hours later when Rooney allegedly drove a car off a steep embankment on the Kuranda Range after evading police. An intense manhunt followed after he fled the scene.
The Cairns Court was told yesterday Rooney was out on two sets of bail conditions from matters that went before the Mossman court. Newsport also understands he has a number of alleged theft, fraud and traffic related indictments against him.
The court was also told yesterday he was undergoing a psychiatric assessment and was reportedly suffering from memory problems.