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National

Abduction charges withdrawn for Adelaide man who stole car

Ilias Sammy Latsis will only face a charge of an act endangering life. (ABC News)

An Adelaide man who was accused of abducting a four-month-old baby during a carjacking has had his abduction charges withdrawn.

Ilias Sammy Latsis was arrested after stealing a car from outside a deli in Klemzig in May last year, while a baby boy was in a capsule on the back seat.

The incident sparked a widespread manhunt for the infant, who was found safe hours later in the nearby suburb of Enfield.

The police prosecutor said the abduction charge was withdrawn due to an "uncooperative witness".

Mr Latsis will, however, face a charge of an act endangering life.

The charge relates to Mr Latsis allegedly leaving the baby unattended once he abandoned the vehicle.

A trial that was set for June for the abduction charge was vacated.

The prosecution asked for more time to seek medical evidence for a preliminary brief charge determination.

"[The director of public prosecutions] will need to see some medical evidence in relation to the potential risk to the baby while, [he] was in the car for two and a half hours," the prosecutor said.

Mr Latsis's lawyer, Heidi Salvemini, asked Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal for the time frame to receive the medical report to be shortened, due to the length of time Mr Latsis had already been in custody.

"This matter has been before the court for nearly 12 months now," Ms Salvemini said.

A month after the incident, Mr Latsis pleaded guilty to abduction, but in February this year he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea, telling the court he had no memory of appearing in court and instructing his lawyer to plead guilty to the charge. 

The court previously heard Mr Latsis was under the influence of drugs at the time of his alleged crime spree.

Latsis's guilty pleas to car theft remain.

He will next face court in August.

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