Anthony Humphries pleads guilty to kidnapping for ransom and assault

A 45-year-old Babinda man who kidnapped, assaulted his victim with two others and threatened to put him in a car and set him on fire has pleaded guilty.

A 45-YEAR-OLD Babinda man who kidnapped, assaulted his victim with two others and threatened to put him in a car and set him on fire has pleaded guilty.

Anthony Humphries, 45, has pleaded guilty to one count common assault, one count assault occasioning bodily harm in company and one count kidnapping for ransom.

The Cairns District Court on Wednesday heard Humphries kidnapped a 29-year-old man with two others who owed $3500 in drug money.

All three men attempted to assault the complainant and punch his face in. Mr Humphries used a chair to assault him and threatened to pour boiling water on him, the court heard.

Judge Tracy Fantin said the complainant suffered serious injuries including fractures to the right eye socket, fractured right cheek, fractured nose and a fractured jaw.

Humphries pleaded guilty to one count common assault, one count assault occassioning bodily harm in company and count kidnapping for ransom. Source: iStock / Getty Images

He had previously appeared on 26 occasions in Innisfail and Cairns and one in District Court with some similar charges in the past including assaults occasioning bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Rachel Boivin said Humphries and company got the brother and mother involved to get the money to them and kept the complainant for 11 hours.

“His involvement is very significant in terms of his involvement in the threats and the actual violence,” Ms Boivin said.

“The injuries that are set out are also quite significant in terms of assault occasioning bodily harm.

“It had a profound impact upon all three, of the victim and the complainant. In my submission there is nothing unsurprising contained in those statement.”

A psychiatric report was done on his mental health and Ms Boivin said she had main points she wished to highlight.

“Clearly he was not intoxicated nor having any episode at the time of the offending,” she said.

“The psychiatrist explicitly states he knew what he was doing. I wish to highlight he did deny his involvement in the offending, up until that point he also denies that any of his offending is related to mental illness it is clear though whatever illness he is or isn’t suffering there is an underlying substance abuse which seems to be the trigger for it.”

Judge Tracy Fantin said while he was not the instigator he was actively involved.

Barrister Kelly Goodwin said Humphries suffered a traumatic history with his father and his sister dying in a car accident in 2008.

Mr Goodwin said he had a good relationship with his surviving sister and two nieces and looked forward to reconnect with his 21-year-old daughter.

“It appears Mr Humphries was first diagnosed in 2009 with bipolar affective disorder and the next line details the multiple different diagnoses he has had over time which includes drug induced psychosis.”

“He has also through his instructions stated he has insight how taking illicit substances have a negative impact on his behaviour,” Mr Goodwin said.

Mr Goodwin said he is on a current treatment and has been compliant.

Judge Tracy Fantin said while he was not the instigator, he was actively involved.

“There are a number of aggravating features, kidnapping for ransom and all of the offending occurred over a lengthy period of almost 11 hours,” Judge Fantin said.

“The psychiatrist makes it clear you have capacity, you are a man of normal intelligence, you well understand what is going on and why you are in the situation today.

“You knew what you were doing and are completely in charge of your actions.

“You know what happens if you continue using drugs on your release you will simply end up back in custody.”

Humphries has spent 960 days in pre-sentence custody. Judge Fantin sentenced him to six years imprisonment and parole eligibility from March 30.

Originally published as Anthony Humphries pleads guilty to kidnapping for ransom and assault