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James Elmsey, Sarah Powell, Eli Robinson face court over alleged Oaklands Park abduction and assault

“The victim genuinely believed he would die”: A young couple and a third man have faced court over their roles in a terrifying alleged abduction where their victim was stripped and assaulted.

A man was allegedly lured to a house and threatened for his banking details. Picture: Gabriel Polychronis / The Advertiser
A man was allegedly lured to a house and threatened for his banking details. Picture: Gabriel Polychronis / The Advertiser

Three people charged with abducting, stripping and robbing a man at Oaklands Park faced court on Monday.

Sarah Jane Powell, 20, allegedly lured the victim, who was a high school friend, to the Lucknow Street house where her boyfriend, Joshua Ross Ecclestone Elmsly, 24, was waiting.

They victim was allegedly told to strip, was tied up with cable ties and told he would be stabbed unless he handed over online banking details.

A police prosecutor told the court more than $2400 was transferred from the victim’s accounts into Mr Elmsly’s accounts.

“Elmsly threatens the victim multiple times with violence, rape and death while in the company of Powell,” he said.

“The victim genuinely believed he would die.”

The victim was later taken to a lounge room where the defendants allegedly took photos and videos of him.

Joshua Elmsly is charged with abducting, threatening and robbing a man at Oaklands Park.
Joshua Elmsly is charged with abducting, threatening and robbing a man at Oaklands Park.
Sarah Powell is charged with luring a high school friend to an Oaklands Park home and then stripping, threatening and robbing him.
Sarah Powell is charged with luring a high school friend to an Oaklands Park home and then stripping, threatening and robbing him.

A police prosecutor said the incident only came to an end after the victim’s mother was contacted and asked to meet at a drop off point.

She attended the drop off point and also alerted police.

“When police arrive at the address Powell threatens to burn the victims house down if anything happens to Elmsly,” he said.

“While they’re there, the police can hear the victim shouting for help from the address and entry is gained.

“The victim was located with his hands still cable tied together.”

A third man, 35-year-old Eli James Seymour Robinson, was also charged in relation to the incident.

Bail and home-detention reports have been ordered for the trio.

They are due to face court again later this week.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/south/three-people-face-court-charged-over-abduction-and-assault-of-man-in-an-oaklands-park-house/news-story/fbea95752c58b4ccec36c7a17c4d6513