Milsons Point resident Dean Contos charged with kidnapping domestic cleaners in his apartment
A man accused of kidnapping two domestic cleaners on Sydney’s lower north shore and threatening to throw one of the them ‘in the river’ if he did not hand over $10,000, appeared in Manly Local Court on Friday.
A man accused of kidnapping two domestic cleaners on Sydney’s lower north shore and threatening to throw one of the them “in the river” if he did not hand over $10,000, appeared in Manly Local Court on Friday.
Police allege Dean Contos, 31, of Milsons Point, along with two other men, ambushed the two male cleaners when they turned up to clean his flat on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the men, aged 35, was severely beaten, tied up and wrapped up in a tarpaulin while he and his cleaner colleague were held at the high-rise unit in Lavender St for close to four hours.
Documents tendered to court allege that Mr Contos, and the two other men, bashed one of the cleaners, causing “extensive injuries” and that he made “specific threats against the victim” during the ordeal that lasted from 4.20pm to 8pm.
“The victim was wrapped in a tarpaulin, hands bound with cable ties and threatened he would be thrown in the river in that state,” the document alleged.
“The accused also threatened the victim with a knife.”
The injured man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital to be treated for a fractured rib and numerous superficial injuries. He was expected to be released from hospital on Friday night.
Mr Contos was charged with one count of take/detain in company with intent to obtain advantage occasion actual bodily harm.
He was also charged with one count of take/detain in company with intent to obtain advantage.
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Police said he was arrested at Manly Police Station early on Friday morning.
Mr Contos did not apply for bail and it was formally refused by Magistrate Michelle Goodwin.
Ms Goodwin adjourned the matter, for a release application, to Manly Local Court on Tuesday, February 26. Mr Contos will appear via an audio visual link.
Outside court, a police spokesman said inquiries were still continuing into the other two men.
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