Kamran Misaghisaisan, Samantha Eatts and Mathew Humphrys allegedly kidnapped and blackmailed housemate
A woman who became aware of her housemate’s significant savings allegedly concocted a sinister plan with two others to hold him hostage until he met their demands, a court heard.
North & North East
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A man was held hostage for hours and struck with a tomahawk, before being forced to withdraw $37,000, a court heard.
Samantha Emily Eatts, 31, Kamran Misaghisaisan, 37, and Mathew John Humphrys, 31, allegedly formed a joint enterprise to kidnap and blackmail their housemate after becoming aware of his savings.
Lucy Hurley, for the prosecution, told the District Court on Wednesday Misaghisaisan was the “main offender” in the kidnapping on June 15, 2021 at Parafield Gardens.
“The victim was held captive in the room for hours,” she said.
“Threats were made towards the victim, which included threats about his children and his dog.
“The victim was bound at times and then he was ultimately forced into a car and driven to a bank to withdraw a significant amount of money.”
The court heard the victim asked to withdraw $37,000 at the bank but quick thinking staff called police.
The victim suffered cuts to his body as a result of Misaghisaisan swinging the tomahawk at him.
Ms Hurley said it would have been a “terrifying ordeal” for the victim.
The Paralowie father pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and blackmail.
Ms Eatts, of West Richmond, and Mr Humphrys, of Parafield Gardens, have pleaded not guilty to their charges and will face trial next year.
Tim Dibden, for Misaghisaisan, told the court the Iranian man came to Australia by boat in 2009 and spent time on Christmas Island.
The court heard Misaghisaisan previously operated his own business Crown Limo SA for four years.
“Unfortunately that business model collapsed with the advent of Uber and Uber Black,” Mr Dibden said.
Misaghisaisan then began working as a security guard, where he was “introduced to and embraced” cocaine and methamphetamine.
The court heard Misaghisaisan was in the grips of the methamphetamine addiction when the offending occurred.
“It seems there was an arrangement with Ms Eatts and Mr Humphrys who had become aware, … of the savings of (the victim) and there was a plan to, essentially extort the money from him by the use of threats,” Mr Dibden said.
Mr Dibden said the trio took the victim to the bank, and the “world’s most hopeless lookout”, Mr Humphrys allegedly went inside with the victim, while Ms Eatts and Misaghisaisan waited outside in the car.
The court heard Misaghisaisan had written a letter of apology to the victim and it “seemed inevitable” his bridging visa would be cancelled.
Judge Michael Burnett will sentence Misaghisaisan next month.
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