Stuart MacGill: Two of the six men charged with cricketer’s kidnapping back in Manly Court
Six men have now been charged over the alleged kidnapping of former test cricket star Stuart MacGill. Two were back in Manly Court.
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Two of the six men now charged with the alleged kidnapping of retired Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill were mentioned in Manly Local Court on Wednesday.
Marino Sotiropolous and Son Minh Nguyen, are accused of being involved in the snatching of MacGill from the street near this lower north shore home in April.
Police are alleging the pair were part of a plot to kidnap and bash MacGill over a failed cocaine deal he had no knowledge of.
MacGill, who played 44 Tests for Australia, was allegedly forced into a car at Cremorne and taken to a remote property at Bringelly, on Sydney’s southwestern outskirts.
Police allege the retired leg-spinner, 50, was bundled into the vehicle by two men — brothers Richard and Frederick Schaaf.
At the farm, police say, three assailants allegedly bashed the former cricketer in an effort to extort money from him.
About an hour later, MacGill was driven 45 minutes’ away to Belmore, where he was dumped.
It’s not suggested MacGill knew about the drug deal, and he’s not accused of any wrongdoing.
Mr Nguyen, 42, of Banksia, if facing one count of knowingly direct the activities of a criminal group and one count of take/detain in company with intent to obtain advantage (occasion actual bodily harm).
Mr Sotiropolous, 46, of Brighton-Le-Sands, is facing charges of kidnapping with assault causing actual bodily harm; participating in a criminal group and supplying 2kg of cocaine.
Both men have yet to enter pleas.
Manly Magistrate Bruce Williams ordered Mr Nguyen to appear at Central Local Court in Sydney for charge certification. Mr Williams adjourned Mr Sotiropolous’ matter for charge certification to the same court on August 26.
Earlier this week two more men were charged over the alleged kidnapping of MacGill.
Blacktown man Vaeluagaomatagy Feilo, 19, and 22-year-old Rouse Hill man Elijah Schaaf were arrested at Parramatta Police Station on Monday.
The pair, who were already being held on remand at Silverwater Correctional Centre for an unrelated matter, were both charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage, occasion actual bodily harm and participate in a criminal group.
Police are still keen to speak with a man known as ‘Sonny’, and also known as ‘Zack’, in relation to the matter.
They also released a computer-generated impression of that man last week.
EARLIER
MacGill kidnap accused makes bold bail bid
On June 23, 2021
One of the four men charged over the alleged gunpoint abduction and bashing of Test cricket great Stuart MacGill in an alleged extortion attempt will remain behind bars after failing in his bid to be released on bail — to get his teeth fixed.
Frederick Schaaf, 27, was half way through extensive dental treatment when he was arrested on May 6.
Manly Local Court heard on Wednesday that if he was not allowed out to see his dentist, he could lose all his teeth.
His lawyer, Mr McLachlan said Mr Schaaf was already having trouble eating in jail.
Mr Schaaf, and his brother Richard, who live in the Sutherland Shire, were each charged with participating in a criminal group and kidnapping with assault causing actual bodily harm.
The brothers, along with Marino Sotiropolous and Son Minh Nguyen, are accused of being involved in the alleged kidnapping of the former cricketer from the street near Mr MacGill’s lower north shore home in April.
Mr MacGill was then allegedly driven to a remote property at Bringelly.
During the bail application Frederic Schaaf’s lawyer argued that his client should not be kept on remand because the allegations suggest that he was “the driver” and was not aware of the other alleged offences.
Police are alleging MacGill was kidnapped and bashed over a failed cocaine deal he had no knowledge of.
MacGill, who played 44 Tests for Australia, was allegedly forced into a car at Cremorne and taken to a remote property at Bringelly, on Sydney’s southwestern outskirts.
Police allege the retired leg-spinner, 50, was bundled into the vehicle by Richard Schaaf, 29, and his brother Frederick.
At the farm, police say, three assailants allegedly bashed the former cricketer in an effort to extort money from him.
About an hour later, MacGill was driven 45 minutes’ away to Belmore, where he was dumped.
Police allege, in court documents tendered during Mr Nguyen’s bail application om May 19, that MacGill unwittingly introduced Mr Sotiropoulous to “Sonny”, a customer at the Neutral Bay restaurant MacGill manages for its owner Maria O’Meagher.
According to the court documents Sonny allegedly bought 2kg of cocaine from Mr Sotiropoulous for $660,000.
But police will allege that when Sonny failed to pay, MacGill was allegedly blamed and ordered to pay $150,000.
It’s not suggested MacGill knew about the drug deal, and he’s not accused of any wrongdoing.
Mr Lachlan told the court that allegations in a statement MacGill made to police that one of he alleged kidnappers had a gun could not be linked to Frederick Schaaf.
He also said that his client would not receive proper dental treatment in jail and his teeth “could decay” and all his teeth may have to removed.
Police prosecutor Adrian Walsh opposed bail and said there was evidence suggesting Frederick Schaaf was “complicit in what has occurred”.
Sgt Walsh said Frederick Schaaf had a history of violence.
“His record … does him absolutely no favours”.
In refusing bail, Magistrate Miranda Moody said he would not be “left high and dry” in relation to receiving dental treatment in jail.
“It is concerning there is an allegation he’s got a gun,” Ms Moody said.
“My greatest concern is his failure to appear.”
Earlier, the court heard the brief of evidence against Mr Sotiropoulous, 46, of Brighton-Le-Sands, was still being prepared.
Mr Sotiropolous, the brother of MacGill’s girlfriend Maria O’Meagher, is facing charges of kidnapping with assault causing actual bodily harm, participating in a criminal group and supplying 2kg of cocaine.
His matter was adjourned to June 30 at Manly Local Court.
On Tuesday police release images of two other men they want to speak with in relation to the alleged kidnapping.
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