Rotorua man charged with abducting girl, 3, from daycare: Plea delayed

John Tekuru in an earlier appearance via AVL in the Rotorua District Court. Photo / Kelly Makiha

Warning: This article contains distressing content.

It will be at least another two weeks before a man charged with abducting a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua early childhood centre will plead to the charge.

The case of John Tekuru, 19, was called before the Rotorua District Court today but Tekuru’s appearance was excused.

He has entered no plea to the charge of unlawfully taking the girl with the intent to have a sexual connection with her on March 10.

The case has been adjourned for the third time to allow a report to be completed. The report is needed before he can enter a plea.

The name of the early childhood centre is permanently suppressed to protect the identity of the girl.

Judge Bergseng remanded Tekuru in custody to reappear on August 14.

The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.