A man from Far North Queensland has been refused bail over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and torture of a teenage girl in Cairns.
According to police, the 19-year-old woman was abducted on Sheridan Street, Cairns, last Thursday. She was then reportedly threatened with a replica firearm and subjected to torture at several locations before being rescued by police on Sunday.
Three individuals — 34-year-old Kaidii Ephraums, 22-year-old Waylan Satrick, and 23-year-old Semias Donnelly — have been charged with various offences, including deprivation of liberty and common assault.
The Cairns Magistrates Court heard that one of the locations where the alleged abuse occurred was Mr Donnelly’s residence. He appeared in court via videolink from the Cairns Watchhouse.
Victim ‘provided food and allowed to shower’
During Mr Donnelly’s bail hearing, it was revealed that he allegedly threatened the victim with a gel blaster, a type of replica gun. His lawyer, Jacqui O’Reilly, argued that her client denied the charges, claiming his involvement was limited to the victim’s brief stay at his home and that he was not involved in the initial abduction.
Ms O’Reilly also stated that while at Mr Donnelly’s house, the victim was given food and permitted to shower.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Mr Donnelly actively participated in the ordeal. They noted the victim was allegedly blindfolded and injured while at his property, and suggested there was a significant risk he might attempt to contact her if released.
Magistrate Terrence Browne told the court that Mr Donnelly had also been involved in coercing the teenager into writing a “demeaning” apology letter addressed to Ms Ephraums.
Case against Mr Donnelly considered strong
Magistrate Browne denied bail, describing the alleged use of a replica firearm to intimidate the victim as “very serious,” and stated that the prosecution’s case against Mr Donnelly was “strong.”
Mr Donnelly was remanded in custody until August 5.
The case against co-accused Mr Satrick was also heard, with him being remanded until September 17. Ms Ephraums appeared in court on Monday and was also remanded in custody until August.
