Gang jailed after vicious kidnap, assault of teenager over drug debt

A GANG of men have been jailed over the vicious kidnapping and bashing of a teenager over a drug debt caught on security cameras as a judge condemned “vigilante” violence. WATCH THE VIDEO

A GANG of men have been jailed for the vicious kidnapping and bashing of a teenager over a drug debt caught on security cameras as a judge condemned “vigilante” violence.

The victim, 19, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was subjected to a “terrifying” ordeal after being taken from his northern suburbs house one evening last year.

Graphic CCTV footage shows him being dragged him from his Andrews Farm home just after 9pm on October 25, before he was bashed in the ribs as the gang — who had bikie links — attempted to bundle him into the boot of a black Holden Cruze.

After resisting the victim is then shoved into the back seat where two gang members were holding a baseball bat and a hammer before driving him around northern Adelaide and refusing to release him.

He was ordered to repay a $7500 debt for cannabis and methamphetamine to James Jonathon McCormack, 22, which is then suddenly increased to $14,500.

McCormack, of Paralowie, was on bail for other offending at the time.

During the ordeal, which is said to have lasted until 3am the next morning and involved changing cars, the victim was repeatedly hit in the head, wrist and knee with the hammer as McCormack told him: “You’re paying your debt tonight”.

He then turned to the driver, Nail Jarro Sarmiento, 22, from Greenwith and told him: “Find a spot in the hills”.

The gang, which also included Aaron Danielle, 28, of Munna Para West — who was later arrested outside court — and Rosario Pullino, 25, of Salisbury Heights, all pleaded guilty to a range of charges including kidnapping and aggravated assault.

Police have said the group had “links” to the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. They had asked to be spared jail.

In his victim impact statement, the teenager told of his continued fears of his attackers while his family also are terrified of retribution.

Jailing them on Tuesday, District Court Judge Geraldine Davison condemned the group’s violence and “vigilante” behaviour, which she said the courts treated seriously and was becoming a “common occurrence”.

“You all took the law into your own hands. You all knew violence would be used and you used it.

“You knew and intended this to be a terrifying experience for the victim.”

There were dramatic scenes inside and outside court as McCormack’s mother wailed as he was jailed for four years, two months and two weeks.

He must serve at least 15 months behind bars.

Sarmiento was jailed for two years, three months and two weeks with a non-parole period of seven months. Danielle was jailed for three years and five months with a non-parole period of 18 months.

Pullino will spend three years, one month and two weeks in jail with a minimum two months behind bars.

Relatives threatened media outside court.