Kidnapped: The crime that shocked the nation

The true story of Australia’s only known kidnapping of a child for ransom, from Barrister and Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi. When eight-year-old Graeme Thorne was kidnapped on his way to school in July 1960, Australia was gripped with fear and loathing. What monster would dare take financial advantage of the most treasured bond of love – between parent and child? Just weeks earlier, Graeme’s parents had won a fortune in the Opera House Lottery, and this had attracted the attention of the perpetrator, Stephen Bradley. Bradley was a most unlikely kidnapper, however his greed for the Thorne’s windfall saw him cast aside any sympathy for his victim or his victim’s family, and drove him to take brazen risks with the life of his young captive. Kidnapped tells the astounding true story of how this crime was planned and committed, and describes the extraordinary police investigation that was launched to track the criminal down. Mark Tedeschi explores the mind of the intriguing and seriously flawed Stephen Bradley, and also the points of view of the victim, his family – and the police, whose work pioneered the use of many techniques that are now considered commonplace, marking the beginning of modern-day forensic science in Australia. Using his powerful research and storytelling skills, Mark Tedeschi reveals one of Australia’s greatest true crime dramas, and what can only be described as the trial of the 20th century. ‘Remarkably researched so as to explain one of Australia’s most extraordinary criminal cases.’ Chester Porter KC

About the Author :
Mark Tedeschi AM KC was for many years the Senior Crown Prosecutor for New South Wales. He has practised in the criminal courts for over 40 years, both for the prosecution and the defence. He has been a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Art School, a member of the Council of the State Library of NSW, a Trustee of Sydney Grammar School, and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Wollongong. He is also an accomplished photographer, whose works are held in many public galleries and private collections. Mark lives and works in Sydney. For more information, see his website: www.marktedeschi.com

Review :
‘A broad-brush morality tale about the consuming power of greed’ ‘A study of kidnapper Bradley . . . and a picture of an insular Australia encountering a strand of icy pragmatism direct from war-damaged Old Europe.’ ‘An utterly compelling account of the kidnap and murder of schoolboy Graeme Thorne from an author with unparalleled knowledge of the investigation and prosecution of crimes which have terrified Australians.’ ‘A detailed and compelling account of events, unfolded with Tedeschi’s customary forensic skill and interspersed with interpretation and analysis that informs and provokes.’ ‘Remarkably researched so as to explain one of Australia’s most extraordinary criminal cases.’ ‘With powerful research and storytelling skills, Tedeschi has delivered a gripping story about one of Australia’s greatest, and heartbreaking, true crime dramas.’ ‘Masterfully pieced together by the New South Wales Senior Crown Prosecutor’