23 Mar 2013

NZer accused of brutal kidnapping in Canada

8:58 pm on 23 March 2013

A New Zealander has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in Canada.

Michael Edward Farley, 39, of Palmerston North has been charged in relation to the attack on 4 March in which a woman was dragged behind a moving van while trying to escape.

Vancouver police have charged Michael Farley with eight offences including choking, administering a noxious substance and aggravated sexual assault causing bodily harm.

In an incident described as horrific, they say a 42-year-old, who is understood to be a sex worker, was taken by a man to a secluded area where she was beaten and tied up.

Later, she was dragged behind a van as she tried to free herself.

Vancouver police released an ID sketch of a man and say several calls from the public helped lead to Farley's arrest.

Police in New Zealand say Farley has been wanted here since sawing off his electronic home detention bracelet and fleeing the country in July last year using a false passport.