Karen Joy Middleton faces Mackay court on deprivation of liberty charge

A Queensland woman who allegedly got two men to drag a 29-year-old back to her home where she held him is accused of holding him captive for four days has faced court in person for the first time. LATEST.

A 29-year-old man who was allegedly dragged to a house and held against his will for four days has made a statement to police, a court has heard.

Karen Joy Middleton, 52, was last month charged with depriving his liberty after he allegedly managed to escape her home in North Mackay.

It is alleged Ms Middleton had sought help from two other males, whose identities remain unknown, to drag the victim to her two-storey property on Grendon St.

Karen Joy Middleton leaving Mackay Courthouse on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Ms Middleton and the alleged victim were known to each other and he lives at a property a short 2km from her home.

She was granted bail on April 15, the day after her arrest, and appeared before Mackay Magistrates Court in person for the first time on Monday.

Ms Middleton, who has not yet entered pleas, is also charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and unlawful possession of a category D/H/R weapon and two counts each of common assault and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police investigated a property on Grendon St in North Mackay after it was alleged Karen Joy Middleton held a 29-year-old male against his will. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Lawyer Marcus Hahn, of McKays Solicitors, asked acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne for a two-week adjournment as he needed to seek instructions from his client after receiving a statement from the alleged victim.

The matter was adjourned to June 3 and Ms Middleton’s bail, which stipulates she must not contact the complainant and must stay at least 200m away from his address, was enlarged.