3 days ago
Cairns kidnapping accused threatened teen with gel blaster, court hears
A Far North Queensland man has been denied bail for his alleged role in a Cairns teenager's two-day kidnapping and torture ordeal.
Police allege the 19-year-old woman was kidnapped on Sheridan Street, Cairns, on Thursday, then threatened with a replica gun and tortured at multiple properties before police found her on Sunday.
Three people — 34-year-old Kaidii Ephraums, 22-year-old Waylan Satrick and 23-year-old Semias Donnelly — have been charged with offences including deprivation of liberty and common assault.
Cairns Magistrates Court today heard one of the properties was the home of Mr Donnelly, who appeared via videolink from the Cairns Watchhouse.
During his bail application, the court heard that Mr Donnelly allegedly threatened the victim with a gel blaster, a type of replica gun.
His lawyer, Jacqui O'Reilly, said her client disputed the charges and was "only involved for a short time" while the victim was at his house and he didn't participate in the initial abduction.
She also told the court the victim was fed and allowed to shower while at Mr Donnelly's residence.
The prosecution opposed bail, telling the court Mr Donnelly was an active participant, given the victim was allegedly blindfolded and bloodied when she was at his home and there was an unacceptable risk he would try to contact her if released.
Magistrate Terrence Browne told the court Mr Donnelly had also participated in forcing the teenager to write a "demeaning" apology to his co-accused, Ms Ephraums.
Magistrate Brown denied Mr Donnelly bail, saying the allegation he menaced the teenager with a replica firearm was "very serious" and that the Crown case against him was "strong".
Mr Donnelly was remanded in custody until August 5.
The case against co-accused Mr Satrick, was also mentioned in court today and he was remanded in custody until September 17.
Ms Ephraums appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody until August.
