Mardi: Adam O’Brien on trial for allegedly kidnapping two men in 2017

An “unknown male” threatened to chop up a victim with a chainsaw while another man was allegedly armed with a sawn-off rifle during a terrifying kidnapping, a court has heard.

Adam Robert O'Brien leaving Gosford District Court in May 2023 where he is facing charges of two counts of kidnapping from 2017. Picture: NewsLocal

Two men allegedly had their hands bound behind their backs with cable ties and were threatened with a shortened rifle during an alleged kidnapping over a missing excavator, a court has heard.

Adam Robert O’Brien is facing trial in Gosford District Court after pleading not guilty to detaining two men with intent to obtain advantage at Mardi in 2017.

The Crown alleges Mr O’Brien was armed with a shortened rifle when he and another “unknown male” bound the wrists of two labourers on an industrial property on McPherson Rd shortly after midday on September 1, 2017.

The Crown alleges the now 39-year-old directed the labourers to be bound and detained over a 40-tonne excavator he believed was stolen from him.

Giving evidence, one of the victims told the court Mr O’Brien had subleased a cabin on the property and approached him to move some items in the cabin.

Mr O'Brien leaving Gosford District Court after a previous appearance. Picture: NewsLocal

When he went inside, the witness said he saw the other labourer seated on the floor with his hands behind his back.

He said Mr O’Brien then came up behind him with a “sawn off rifle about 50cm long and a dark stock”.

The court heard the alleged kidnapping was sparked by allegations over a missing excavator. (File image)

The witness told the court Mr O’Brien allegedly pointed the weapon at him while the other labourer called out “tell them everything” and “they already know”.

The witness told the court another “unknown male” took hold of his hands and bound them behind his back with three cable ties.

He said he told Mr O’Brien and the other man he didn’t know who took the excavator but he believed it was being taken to an auction house.

“[The unknown male said] if you don’t tell me where it is I will shoot you in the head or chop you up with a chainsaw,” he told the court.

The court heard the two labourers were kept inside the cabin for about three hours while Mr O’Brien left the property in a vehicle and later returned telling them “you’re lucky, you’re free to go”.

“He said if you mention this to the police he will come after me and my family,” the victim said.

“I was very scared. At that stage I was feeling [like] my life was going to end and I wouldn’t see my family again.”

The owner of the property also gave evidence and told the court he did not trust Mr O’Brien because he believed he had lied to him about taking some of his tools.

He told the court he urged the two victims to go to the police the following day when they told him they had allegedly been tied up and threatened by Mr O’Brien.

The trial continues.