Nottingham man accused of abducting girl enters plea

Tautvydas Balionis faces trial for the single charge early in the new year

A 28-year-old Nottingham man has appeared in court to deny a single count of child abduction. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, Tautvydas Balionis pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared from custody at Nottingham Crown Court.

The defendant, of Victoria Road, Netherfield, was arrested after the school-aged girl, who was under 16, was reported missing after leaving her Derbyshire home on Friday, August 29, this year and was later found by officers at a different address.

Judge James Sampson asked Will Bennett, his barrister: “What is the issue with the case?” He replied: “The defendant disputes that what he did amounts to keeping the child out of lawful contact with her mother. She was there (with him) overnight.”

Judge Sampson set a trial date for the week commencing February 10, next year, with a time estimate of two days.

Remanding Balionis into custody until then, he said: “You are obliged to provide a defence case statement giving your side of what occurred.” Nottinghamshire Police previously said that the girl was returned safely to her family and investigations remain ongoing.