Couple Daniel Baker and Vanessa Brewster sentenced for assaulting pregnant woman

A vengeful couple who bashed and threatened a heavily pregnant woman over 13 hours, including recruiting a bikie ‘enforcer’ to terrorise her, have kept dating while in custody.

A couple who detained a pregnant woman for 13 hours and bashed and robbed her have remained dating while in custody, a court heard.

Daniel Peter Baker, 33, and Vanessa Renae Brewster, 36, were jailed for their ringleader roles after the victim’s mother had to pay a $1000 ransom for her daughter’s safe return.

Their accomplices, Rex Lyall Clough, 33, Sharon Anne Clancy, 54, and Nicole Marie Bailie, 28, have also admitted their roles in the terrifying ordeal.

During sentencing, the District Court heard the victim’s relationship with Baker soured after he demanded money from her.

Baker sent her photos from outside her father’s house, demanding she hand over her car or he would take her father’s vehicle.

Vanessa Brewster is now eligible for parole for her role in the offending. Photo: Facebook

When the victim went to Baker’s Elizabeth East house on December 30, 2020, she was led inside by him and Brewster.

“You, Ms Brewster then threw an ashtray at her, hitting her in the head,” Judge Rauf Soulio said.

Over 13 hours, the victim was assaulted and various threats were made.

The victim was then forced to sign car transfer papers to Baker’s name and her jewellery and phone were also stolen.

The court heard Clough arrived at the house, wearing knuckledusters and clothing with an outlaw motorcycle gang logo.

“You, Mr Baker told (the victim) that Mr Clough was an enforcer and he was going to make sure you got your $1000 back,” Judge Soulio said.

A demand was then made to the victim’s mother to pay $1000 if she ever wanted to see her daughter again.

Clough collected the payment from a separate location.

A victim impact statement was read by prosecutor Amy Fisher in November.

The victim said she was 28-weeks pregnant when the offending occurred and she still had nightmares about it.

“How another human can think it’s OK to treat an innocent person the way you treated me is something that I find extremely hard to understand,” she said.

“For the last 23 months … I have fought away tears, had sleepless nights and live in fear that some day you will come after me again.”

Baker, of Elizabeth East, pleaded guilty to blackmail, assault causing harm and robbery, while Brewster, of Hillbank, pleaded guilty to assault, robbery and theft.

Clough, of Elizabeth East, pleaded guilty to blackmail and was sentenced in December 2021 to two years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of one year.

Rex Clough. Photo: Facebook

Nicole Bailie. Photo: Facebook

Bailie, of Banksia Park, and Clancy, of Salisbury Park, have pleaded guilty to robbery and will face sentencing submissions in May.

The court Baker, who was still dating Brewster while in custody, fell in with the wrong crowd and turned to using meth.

The court heard Brewster, who is a mother and qualified chef, was using meth on the day of the offending.

“You said you are ashamed of your current offending … you accept that your behaviour was inexcusable,” Judge Soulio said.

Judge Soulio sentenced Baker to five years jail, with a non-parole period of two and a half years.

Brewster was sentenced to three years and four months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and eight months.

The sentences were backdated to January 3, 2021, meaning Brewster is eligible for parole.