'Psychotic' child abductor tried to lure boy, 5, outside school in front of child's mother
A CHILD abductor tried to lure a five-year-old boy outside a primary school to his home by offering to let him play on his scooter and bouncy castle.
Hull Crown Court heard how a child abductor tried to lure a five-year-old boy to his home
The schoolboy’s mother was collecting him from a primary school in west Hull when "psychotic" Steven Hickson, 56, pounced.
Hickson got hold of the boy's right arm and "started to pull him" but his mother managed to pull him closer to her and they escaped, Hull Crown Court heard.
He was heard to say to the boy: "That's a nice scooter. Can I have a ride? I have some scooters and a brand new £5 note. You can have that if you want."
He added: "I have a bouncy castle at my house. You can come and play on it if your mum won't mind.”
I have a bouncy castle at my house. You can come and play on it if your mum won't mind.
Hickson was arrested after the boy’s shocked mother called the police.
The court heard on another occasion the accused had also attempted to lure a girl aged eight to his east Hull home by offering to give her a DVD.
Hickson had even gone to the girl's house to ask if she was "coming out". Her father told him to leave and not come back.
He also asked another girl, aged 12, to go to his house to get a DVD and offered her "sweets and money", the Hull Daily Mail reported.
The schoolboy’s mother was collecting him from a primary school
A neighbour who called at the property for an unconnected matter was "surprised" to see her coming out of a bedroom with a DVD.
The father of the girl Hickson abducted had previously been "concerned" to see him chatting to her in the street and told her to "get away and come inside". Before she did so Hickson was heard to say: "I've got a present for you."
Her father told Hickson not to invite children to his home, the court heard.
Hickson was also heard saying "I love kids" and "come back at 8pm, we are going to have a party".
The court heard on another occasion the accused had also attempted to lure a girl aged eight
He was convicted on Thursday of child abduction and attempted child abduction following a four-day trial.
He was also accused of sexually assaulting a girl by sitting her on his knee and kissing her hair, but was found not guilty.
He had declined to give evidence in his defence during his trial and was said to be "psychotic" at the time of the offences, but did not now have the condition.
The child abductor was remanded in custody until he will be sentenced next month.