Zim asylum seeker 'tried to snatch toddler' in Wales

Zim asylum seeker 'tried to snatch toddler' in Wales

CARDIFF Crown Court

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By Paul Carey

A ZIMBABWEAN asylum seeker in Cardiff, Wales tried to snatch a toddler from a busy city centre store, a court heard Monday.

Mthokozisi Zondo, 28, was caught on CCTV allegedly trying to grab the "terrified" two-year-old girl.

The court heard it was "sheer good fortune" her mother managed to rescue her as Zondo tugged at her arm.

Prosecutor Sue Ferrier said the girl and her family had gone out shopping for the day and were looking at jewellery in the Argos store in Cardiff.

She said, "They were at the jewellery counter looking at the display when the girl wandered away from her mother. She was perhaps six to 10 feet away.

"Zondo was also in Argos and it would have been obvious to him that she had been separated from her mother.

"What happened next was nothing short of terrifying for the girl and doubtless very upsetting for her mother.

"Zondo was walking past the girl and as he did so he grabbed hold of her by the arm. He was seen to be tugging at her.

"It's sheer good fortune the girl's mother became aware there was this stranger so close to her daughter.

"She had seen him heading over speaking to her daughter and whispering the words 'Come on' while trying to encourage her to go with him."

Cardiff Crown Court heard the mother managed to get to her daughter in time.

Mrs Ferrier said, "Zondo could see his efforts had been thwarted and left the screaming and distressed child with her distraught mother."

Cardiff Crown Court heard Zondo walked out of the store as the girl's mother reported the attempted abduction to store workers.

Zondo gave himself up to police after his picture was shown on TV and in newspapers.

He told officers, "I said hello to the girl and shook her hand but that's all."

Zondo said it was "pure lies" that he was tugging at her.

He told police he liked little children and has a six-year-old son in South Africa.

Mrs Ferrier said, "The prosecution say this is not a kind man with a healthy interest in children."

The jury was shown CCTV footage of Zondo approaching the toddler who cannot be named because of her age. Zimbabwe-born Zondo, of Canton, Cardiff, denies attempted child abduction.

The trial continues.
Additional reporting Western Mail
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