NSW:Bomb threat victim 'relieved' after =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2011
NSW:Bomb threat victim 'relieved' after =2

Ms Pulver had the device around her neck for 10 hours as technicians from the NSW Police
Bomb Squad worked overnight to remove it.

It was later found not to contain any explosives.

A 4-gigabyte USB storage device and a purple lanyard were found on the device.

The attack made headlines around the world, as investigators from Strike Force Haddon
sifted through the evidence, including a note pinned to Ms Pulver and her descriptions
of the assailant.

Her father, Bill Pulver, 53, said on Tuesday the family was relieved after Peters'
arrest and hoped this was the beginning of the end to a traumatic ordeal.

"This has been a baffling and frightening experience," he told reporters in Sydney
alongside wife Belinda.

He said his daughter, who will sit for her HSC exams this year was "a bright, happy
young woman who, for reasons we still don't understand, has had her life turned upside
down going through this dreadful experience".

Peters - the man accused of the attack - is a father of three who was educated at The
Scots College in Sydney's Bellevue Hill.

He was arrested at his ex-wife's home in wealthy La Grange, 50km from Louisville, Kentucky,
at 3.45pm local time on Monday (0545 Tuesday AEST).

A SWAT team arrested him without incident at the request of NSW Police.

When he appeared in the US District Court in Louisville he had his legs and wrists
shackled and was led into the court by three burly US marshals.

According to the indictment, NSW police believe Peters had a link to the Pulver family.

"The police have obtained information that Paul Douglas Peters was formerly employed
by a company with which the victim's family has links," the indictment states.

The indictment alleges Peters surprised Madeleine as she studied in her bedroom.

"At about 2.15pm, she saw a man carrying a black aluminum baseball bat and wearing
a striped, multiple-coloured balaclava over his head, walk into her room," it states.

Peters allegedly told Ms Pulver, "Sit down and no-one needs to get hurt."

He then forced a "black box against her throat and looped a device similar to a bike
chain, which was also attached to the box, around her neck", it is alleged.

A note placed around the teenager's neck allegedly stated: "Powerful new technology
plastic explosives are located inside the small black combination case delivered to you.

"The case is booby trapped. It can ONLY be opened safely, if you follow instructions
and comply with its terms and conditions."

The head of the NSW State Crime Command, Assistant Commissioner Dave Hudson, told reporters
in Sydney that "a fairly detailed chain of circumstantial evidence" led police to arresting
Peters in America.

Police allege Peters bought a 4-gigabyte USB storage device and a purple lanyard with
his Commonwealth Bank Mastercard from an Officeworks store in West Gosford on the NSW
Central Coast on July 4.

They also allege they have CCTV footage of Peters buying a black baseball bat from
the Rebel Sport store at Erina Fair Shopping Centre, also on the Central Coast, on July
16.

NSW Police, according to the US indictment, were led to Peters by a gmail email address
left at the Pulvers' residence.

He allegedly accessed the email account several times at two locations on the NSW central
coast, Kincumber library and a video store at Avoca, according to surveillance footage
obtained by police.

The library footage showed a man arriving and leaving in a Range Rover and, after a
search by the Roads and Traffic Authority, it was discovered Peters lived at Copacabana,
a town located near the library and video store.

Peters allegedly bought a one-way ticket to fly on August 8 from Sydney to Kentucky.

He faces charges of kidnapping, aggravated break and enter with intent to commit a
serious indictable offence, and demanding property with intent to steal.

The Australian government has 60 days to make a formal request for his extradition.

US District Court Judge Dave Whalin scheduled an extradition hearing for October 14.

AAP lcf/wjf/nb

KEYWORD: BOMB 3RD UPDATE 2 SYDNEY

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