Terrigal kidnapping: Bailey Steele becomes fifth man to face court

A 22-year-old has become the fifth man to face court charged over an alleged kidnapping and bashing of a man at Terrigal who was driven to Crackneck Lookout, stripped and later dumped.

A fifth man has faced Gosford Local Court charged over the kidnapping of a man from Terrigal, as officers from Strike Force Dernacourt continue to investigate what police say was a terrifying ordeal.

Bailey Steele, of East Maitland, appeared in person when his matter was mentioned briefly on Friday.

The 22-year-old was not required to enter a plea to two charges including taking and detaining a man, 23, with the intent of committing a serious indictable offence, namely actual bodily harm, while in company.

Mr Steele appeared in person at Gosford Local Court on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Charge sheets allege Mr Steele was one of four men who kidnapped the victim from Terrigal some time between 10.45pm on February 11 and 3am on February 12.

Police will allege in court the victim was walking near the intersection of Havenview and Hillcrest streets when a black utility stopped beside him and four men got out.

The victim was allegedly assaulted before he was dragged into the vehicle and allegedly threatened with a knife and baton before he was driven to a car park at Crackneck Lookout at Bateau Bay.

Police will further allege the men removed some of the victim’s clothing and jewellery before leaving him on the side of the road.

A short time later the men returned and allegedly further assaulted the victim before he was dropped off near Hillcrest St.

Police allege the victim was driven to Crackneck Lookout where he was robbed. Picture: supplied.

About 3.20am the victim was driven to Gosford Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Steele was also charged with robbing another man of $2000 cash and a gold watch at North Gosford about 1.35am on the same night, while armed with a knife.

Steele is the fifth man to be charged over the alleged Terrigal kidnapping with Brock Pearson, 23, of Mayfield East, and Brodie Harpley, 29, of Lake Macquarie, also facing court briefly on Friday.

All three men were adjourned to face court again this Friday.

Two other men, Ethan Gualdi and Darius Bagang, have also faced court charged over the alleged kidnapping with Mr Gualdi listed to appear again this Friday for a bail review and Mr Bagang on October 25.