ID :
185628
Tue, 05/31/2011 - 15:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/185628
The shortlink copeid
Ibrahim siblings on kidnapping charge
SYDNEY (AAP) - Former bikie boss Hassan "Sam" Ibrahim, his sister and their family bodyguard "Tongan Sam" have been accused of kidnapping and trying to extort $100,000 from a man in a Sydney bank.
Police say the alleged victim escaped by locking himself in a room with the manager of the Ryde bank until help arrived.
But defence lawyer Brett Galloway says the man went willingly to the bank on Monday afternoon to withdraw the money, allegedly owed to Armani Stelio, Ibrahim's 35-year-old sister and co-accused.
"Sam wasn't involved, he wasn't there. He went to the bank after the event," Mr Galloway told reporters after a brief hearing at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday.
"Sam went down to find out if he was okay."
Stelio and Ibrahim, siblings of Kings Cross nightclub identity Fadi Ibrahim, as well as bodyguard Semi "Tongan Sam" Ngata have each been charged with take/detain a person in company with intent to obtain advantage.
They didn't apply for bail, and it was formally refused by magistrate Vivien Swain.
A second woman, Alicia Marie Sutherland, is alleged to have been the driver during the kidnapping, the court heard during her unsuccessful bail application.
The 28-year-old Sutherland is also facing a drug possession charge.
Her lawyer, Stephen Alexander, said his client bumped into Ngata and the alleged victim at Stelio's home - where police allege the man had been summoned - and was asked to drive them to the bank.
"She doesn't know these people - she just turned up," he said.
"What we have is simply the word of one person, the complainant."
Mr Alexander said there was animosity between Stelio and the alleged victim which affected the strength of the prosecution case.
He added it was highly unlikely anyone would commit such an offence with CCTV cameras recording their every move.
Police said the alleged victim was taken "against his will" to the bank where his kidnappers planned to force him to withdraw money from his account.
But once inside, the man immediately sought refuge.
"He grabbed the arm of the manager of the bank, went into an office and immediately locked the door behind him," Detective Inspector Ben Janssen told reporters.
Police were contacted about 4.10pm (AEST) and the Middle Eastern Crime Squad soon arrived.
Mr Galloway said Ibrahim received a phone call from someone saying the man had locked himself in a room and "Sam went down to find out if he was okay".
"The Middle Eastern Crime Squad has been trying to get Sam for years. They haven't had success because he hasn't been doing anything," he added.
Insp Janssen said police had concerns for the victim's safety and had asked him to go to a safe place on Monday night.
Police say the alleged victim escaped by locking himself in a room with the manager of the Ryde bank until help arrived.
But defence lawyer Brett Galloway says the man went willingly to the bank on Monday afternoon to withdraw the money, allegedly owed to Armani Stelio, Ibrahim's 35-year-old sister and co-accused.
"Sam wasn't involved, he wasn't there. He went to the bank after the event," Mr Galloway told reporters after a brief hearing at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday.
"Sam went down to find out if he was okay."
Stelio and Ibrahim, siblings of Kings Cross nightclub identity Fadi Ibrahim, as well as bodyguard Semi "Tongan Sam" Ngata have each been charged with take/detain a person in company with intent to obtain advantage.
They didn't apply for bail, and it was formally refused by magistrate Vivien Swain.
A second woman, Alicia Marie Sutherland, is alleged to have been the driver during the kidnapping, the court heard during her unsuccessful bail application.
The 28-year-old Sutherland is also facing a drug possession charge.
Her lawyer, Stephen Alexander, said his client bumped into Ngata and the alleged victim at Stelio's home - where police allege the man had been summoned - and was asked to drive them to the bank.
"She doesn't know these people - she just turned up," he said.
"What we have is simply the word of one person, the complainant."
Mr Alexander said there was animosity between Stelio and the alleged victim which affected the strength of the prosecution case.
He added it was highly unlikely anyone would commit such an offence with CCTV cameras recording their every move.
Police said the alleged victim was taken "against his will" to the bank where his kidnappers planned to force him to withdraw money from his account.
But once inside, the man immediately sought refuge.
"He grabbed the arm of the manager of the bank, went into an office and immediately locked the door behind him," Detective Inspector Ben Janssen told reporters.
Police were contacted about 4.10pm (AEST) and the Middle Eastern Crime Squad soon arrived.
Mr Galloway said Ibrahim received a phone call from someone saying the man had locked himself in a room and "Sam went down to find out if he was okay".
"The Middle Eastern Crime Squad has been trying to get Sam for years. They haven't had success because he hasn't been doing anything," he added.
Insp Janssen said police had concerns for the victim's safety and had asked him to go to a safe place on Monday night.
