In a recent court hearing, a witness recounted a harrowing incident of abduction and sexual assault that occurred nearly a decade ago. The witness, an 18-year-old at the time, described being forcibly taken from a sidewalk on Margaret Street by an unknown assailant who dragged her approximately two houses to a parked vehicle.

During the testimony, the witness detailed the assault, stating that after being pushed into the passenger side of the car, she was threatened not to speak. The situation escalated when the assailant allegedly punched her multiple times before committing the assault. The witness described a struggle, claiming she pretended to be unconscious in an attempt to escape the situation.

The court proceedings also delved into the witness's interactions with law enforcement following the incident. She stated that she had not been contacted by police until 2023, despite claims from the defense that officers had attempted to reach her shortly after the assault. The witness maintained that she had not spoken to anyone about the case until recently, contradicting the defense's assertions.

Additionally, the witness's mental health history was brought into question, with references to her being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The defense sought to establish whether her mental state could have affected her recollection of events. The witness affirmed that she was on seizure medication at the time of the incident but denied being under the influence of narcotics or alcohol.

The testimony highlighted the complexities of memory and trauma, as the witness struggled to recall specific details from the night of the assault. The court is expected to continue examining the evidence and witness statements as the case progresses.