A Port Macquarie man has been placed on conditional bail after fronting court on a charge of attempt to take or detain a child with intent to remove from parental control.
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Gregory Richard Hayes, 68, appeared before the court registrar on July 17.
Court documents alleged that at around 3.30pm on Thursday May 23, a woman attended an electronic store on Short Street, with her nine-year-old child.
Police allege while the woman was printing photos, a man entered the store and engaged the boy in conversation.
After leaving the store for a short time, the man returned and again spoke to the boy before allegedly attempting to usher the boy out of the store.
The boy's mother intervened, stopping the boy from leaving the store and yelling at the man as he left.
The mother and child attended Port Macquarie Police Station to report the incident.
Officers from Mid North Coast Police District attended the store just before 6pm and arrested the 68-year-old man.
Hayes' matter was adjourned and he is scheduled to reappear in the Port Macquarie Local Court for mention on August 22, 2019.