Details of woman’s escape from car boot revealed in court as alleged kidnapper denied bail

A Sydney woman locked in a car boot for several hours was stabbed with “a large red kitchen knife” before being repeatedly knifed in the carpark of busy shopping centre, police allege.

Kayley Ketley, 24, and Latia Henderson, 18, are accused of kidnapping Nisha Phillips from a Claymore home before attacking her on the way to Belanglo State Forest.

Ms Phillips was able to escape when she broke a rear taillight and waved down a truck driver, who alerted police. 

Appearing before Campbelltown Court, Ms Ketley was refused bail for a second time, with Magistrate David Degnan referring to her extensive criminal history, which includes armed robbery.

“These are very serious allegations of violence, the defendant has a very strong history of violence and non-compliance of court-imposed bail,” Magistrate Degnan said.

“This is a very strong prosecution case.”

Dressed in prison greens, Ms Ketley was supported in court by her mother, who waved at her daughter when the bail application was denied.

Detectives are still trying to determine the relationship between the three women and are keeping an “open mind” regarding further arrests, the ABC understands.

According to the police facts, obtained by the ABC, the alleged attack began with an argument at a two-storey townhouse on Roberts Way at around 7:30pm on February 2.

“The victim was seated on a lounge … and the accused [Ketley] stabbed the victim in the left leg near her knee with a large red kitchen knife with a swirly striped handle,” police allege.

“The victim felt immediate pain, likening it to nerve pain — the accused then stabbed her a second time in the right thigh.”

Six hours later, Ms Ketley and Ms Henderson allegedly forced Ms Phillips into the boot of her white Holden Commodore at a house at Glenfield.

The court heard Ms Phillips was left on her own for four hours while her alleged attackers picked up fast food in Fairfield.

When they returned, Ms Ketley allegedly threatened Ms Phillips.

“The accused said, ‘Oh you’re still alive, what a shame — I guess we are going to have to drag this on then hey? I was just hoping you would like to give up’,” the court heard.

According to the police facts, Ms Ketley held a knife to Ms Phillips and forced her into the boot of the stolen car before driving into the car park of Campbelltown Mall the next morning.

“The co-accused [Henderson] opened the rear seats of the car and stabbed the victim five times in the arm, telling her to get her head down,” the facts state.

The three women allegedly drove to another house before another woman threatened them with a hammer and told them to leave, police allege.

The accused allegedly drove the vehicle south to the suburb of Menangle, where they entered the general store and picked up drinks and ice cream.

They continued driving before stopping on the side of the Hume Highway, where police allege Ms Ketley and Ms Henderson smoked cannabis on the side of the road.

“The accused opened the rear passenger seat and gave Nisha water and ice-cream,” the police facts allege.

“The accused entered directions into the satellite navigation system of the vehicle to Belanglo State Forest.”

The court heard it was an attempt to inflict further terror on Ms Phillips.

“One can only wonder what the purpose of going to Belanglo State Forest was,” Magistrate Degnan said. 

The ordeal eventually came to an end when Ms Phillips managed to break a rear taillight and wave down a truck driver from the boot of her car.

Police arrested Ms Ketley and Ms Henderson, who remain behind bars as they face a raft of serious charges.

“At the foot of the accused was a 30cm black handled kitchen knife — police folded the rear seats and found Nisha in the boot … suffering stab wounds,” the police facts allege.

“The accused [Kelley] participated in an interview where she denied stabbing the victim and stated she did not know the victim was in the car.

“The co-accused participated in an electronic interview — stating she drove the vehicle with the knowledge that the victim was in the boot.”

Ms Henderson has previously had her application for release ejected despite being 20 weeks pregnant.

Both women are due to face Campbelltown Court again later this month.