Tiarny Sturgeon, Brad Takkenberg refused bail over alleged robbery in Wollongong

A man was allegedly detained and robbed after meeting a woman to pay for sex. See what happened when the two people accused faced court.

Tiarny Sturgeon, 31, and Brad Takkenberg, 27, who live in the ACT, were both refused bail when they appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Friday.

Police allege a woman offered sex to a man in exchange for payment then refused to let him leave until his friend paid $300, a court heard.

Tiarny Sturgeon, 31, and Brad Takkenberg, 27, who both live in the ACT, were refused bail when they appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Friday.

Police allege the male victim “sought contact for a sexual service” with Sturgeon on Thursday and he was quoted a sum of money, which he did not want to pay and tried to leave the undisclosed Wollongong location.

Police allege the man was blocked and told he was not allowed to leave unless he paid.

The court heard co-accused, Brad Takkenberg, then appeared and demanded the man transfer him $300.

Takkenberg allegedly grabbed the man’s phone and demanded his password. He allegedly used the phone to contact the man’s friend who was told to transfer money into a PayID account.

Police allege Takkenberg pushed the man in the head and forced him into a room before he looked inside the man’s backpack and removed a power bank.

The man was allegedly detailed and had his mobile phone taken. Picture: istock

The man tried to leave again but Sturgeon and Takkenberg allegedly refused to let him leave.

A short time later, the friend paid $150 into Sturgeon’s PayID account before they demanded the full $300, but the victim refused.

They kept the man’s phone and he was allowed to leave before he attended a shop and called police.

In the meantime, Takkenberg and Sturgeon allegedly transferred $1000 from the man’s account into Sturgeon’s account.

Police arrived and saw Takkenberg and Sturgeon allegedly walking away from the location before they were arrested about 1.10pm.

They were both charged with robbery in company; demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal; and detaining a person in company with intent to obtain an advantage.

In court, Takkenberg did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

During Sturgeon’s bail application, prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Wall said the alleged offences were “extremely serious” and if convicted there was a strong likelihood Sturgeon would serve a term of imprisonment.

She submitted Sturgeon allegedly played a “crucial role” in the robbery.

“It was a well organised form of offending, where the alleged victim was lured to the location,” Sgt Wall said.

“It would have been terrifying for the victim to be put in a situation where his liberty was allegedly taken away and detained in the premise where a friend was asked to transfer funds for his release.”

Sturgeon’s lawyer said her client suffered from depression, anxiety and split personality disorder, which would make her vulnerable in custody.

The lawyer said Sturgeon had a limited criminal history in NSW and ACT for assault and driving offences.

Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said “no person should have to suffer what has allegedly been suffered”.

He said the prosecution case appeared strong and he was not persuaded to grant Sturgeon bail.

Both cases were adjourned May 8.