The man accused of abducting a child in Palmerston North allegedly offended against the same child two days earlier.

Suppression orders blanketing the details of the charges relating to the abduction of the 5-year-old child were lifted in the Palmerston North District Court on Thursday.

Cheltenham man Brendan Paul Henson​, 46, is accused of abducting the child on February 12 with the intent of having sexual connection with her.

DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ Alleged child abductor Brendan Paul Henson appears in Palmerston North District Court.

He is also accused of indecently assaulting her on the same day.

The alleged abduction of the girl received much attention, spawning a manhunt throughout Manawatu involving 30 police officers and a search helicopter.

But police say that was not the first time Henson offended against the child.

David Unwin/Fairfax NZ. Alleged child abductor Brendan Paul Henson appears in Palmerston North District Court.

He is also charged with indecently assaulting the child on February 10.

The child's name is automatically suppressed due to the nature of the charges and her age.

Henson did not plead to any of the charges.

Defence lawyer Fergus Steedman​ said it was his first time appearing for Henson.

He said he needed time to go over things with Henson, especially because the February 12 indecent assault charge had been laid by police on Thursday.

A bail application was "floating around somewhere", but could be withdrawn, Steedman said.

Judge Gregory Ross remanded Henson in custody until later in March.