A person took a photograph of himself holding a gun that was used to violently abduct a person and torture him for a multimillion-dollar ransom, based on police allegations.
Kiteau Tatafu appeared within the NSW Supreme Court by way of audiovisual hyperlink on Thursday to make a bid for bail after spending six months behind bars on remand.
Police allege the 21-year-old was considered one of six males who kidnapped Sydney resident Peter Vuong from his dwelling in western Sydney at 5.20am on March 9.
The group of males allegedly stormed the Smithfield dwelling with a sledgehammer and a gun and compelled Mr Vuong into the again of a car.
Police allege they drove him about 18km to a rundown home in Belmore, the place they held him hostage for six days.
During that point, police declare his captors tortured the 26-year-old and forcibly eliminated his enamel.
Mr Tatafu and his 5 alleged co-offenders tried to extort $5m from Mr Vuong’s household and buddies to safe their sufferer’s launch, based on the police allegations.
On Thursday, the NSW Supreme Court was advised Mr Tatafu had a photograph on his cell phone of himself holding a gun with the caption “payday got me like”.
Crown prosecutor Jade Pearson claimed the firearm was the identical one used to kidnap Mr Vuong and maintain him hostage for six days.
However, Mr Tatafu’s barrister AJ Karim conceded there have been “some similarities” between the photographs however famous there have been vertical grooves on one firearm that weren’t seen on the opposite.
“It can’t be said it’s the same gun,” he mentioned.
“It can’t be said that’s a real gun either.”
Ms Pearson mentioned police had discovered Mr Tatafu’s DNA and fingerprints on two objects contained in the vacant home the place Mr Vuong was violently attacked for a number of days.
However, Mr Karim advised the court docket that his consumer had beforehand had “an association” with the Belmore property, so the forensic proof could possibly be “equally consistent with innocence”.
Police allege calls from Mr Tatafu’s cell phone additionally positioned him within the Belmore space for a number of days throughout Mr Vuong’s alleged captivity.
Encrypted messages despatched to his alleged co-conspirators established that the 21-year-old had contributed “some element of planning” to the kidnapping, the Crown prosecutor argued.
CCTV footage allegedly exhibits him in a automobile together with his co-accused Lolo Liavaa at a McDonald’s solely 1km away from the hostage home on March 10.
Four days later, Mr Tatafu was allegedly captured on CCTV coming into the Belmore property whereas sporting a particular jumper that had one lengthy sleeve and one brief sleeve.
Ms Pearson mentioned photos retrieved from Mr Tatafu’s telephone present him sporting the very same prime that police had seized from his dwelling after his arrest.
Yet Mr Karim argued it was laborious to tell apart particulars within the CCTV footage captured from a close-by Belmore dwelling.
“They look more like they’re wearing ninja suits. You cannot tell who those individuals are,” he mentioned.
Mr Karim argued the Crown case towards his consumer appeared “overwhelming” and much like the hit movie Reservoir Dogs, but it surely contained “inherent flaws” upon nearer inspection.
The defence barrister requested Justice Natalie Adams to grant his consumer bail so he might attend a rehabilitation centre in Swan Bay beneath strict supervision.
The court docket was advised the Connect Global facility would supply a mattress for a six-month program, however Mr Tatafu would possible have to attend one other 12 months earlier than he might proceed to trial.
Ms Pearson opposed bail as a result of threat the 21-year-old would fail to look in court docket, commit a critical offence or endanger the group after the rehabilitation interval.
Justice Adams characterised the Crown case towards Mr Tatafu as “reasonably strong” and mentioned the younger man appeared to have “gone off the rails”.
She will hand down her resolution about his bail on September 18.
Mr Tatafu has been charged with aggravated break and enter, inflicting grievous bodily hurt with intent, and demanding property with menace.
His co-accused Sunia Tu Ineau Junior Siasau, John Totau Fahamokioa, Viliami Siasu, Valali Tonga and Mr Liavaa stay earlier than the courts.
Originally printed as Alleged kidnapper Kiteau Tatafu’s boastful gun photograph
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
