Michael Finekifolau faces sentencing after alleged Dundas Valley kidnapping
A man who posed as a pizza delivery worker to help a group break into a home, where they kidnapped and extorted a former Sydney crime figure, has faced court.
Parramatta
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Michael Finekifolau, who purported to be a pizza delivery man before a Sydney crime figure was violently kidnapped from his Dundas Valley home and held for ransom, has faced court for sentencing.
But Finekifolau’s barrister said the former Australian Defence Force serviceman was only involved in the assault of a family member and not former cocaine smuggler Vahe Geokjian.
Finekifolau, who is in custody, pleaded guilty to common assault and aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence after he turned up to the home of Mr Geokjian at Brothers St on February 9, 2020, about 10.30pm.
CCTV footage, which was played at court on Tuesday, shows Finekifolau carrying a pizza box and forcing his way through the front door followed seconds later by three other men.
Finekifolau pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Geokjian’s wife, whose bloodcurdling screams from the home security footage were played in court, where a witness was visibly distressed while it played.
Parramatta District Court heard that over a terrifying three minute and 40 second ordeal, Finekifolau broke the woman’s nose after grabbing her arm and hair, and forcing her to the ground where she said she was kicked and punched.
Mr Geokjian was allegedly assaulted by the other men and knocked unconscious before being taken away in a car. Those men allegedly doused him in petrol, smashed his toes with a hammer and tasered him before he eventually paid them a ransom to release him.
A stolen BMW X1 2018 model was used in the abduction was found burnt the next day at Beverly Hills and he was dumped naked at Liverpool.
Defence barrister Greg James told the court Finekifolau was aware of the alleged kidnapping plan but he was only guilty of the woman’s assault and not the attack on Mr Geokjian — who was convicted and jailed in 2007 for importing cocaine.
“It’s not alleged that this offender at any time struck the male occupant,’’ he said.
“Further, it’s not alleged this offender was party to the kidnapping or ill treatment of the male occupant.
“When it comes to sentence this individual’s role is to be left in the agreed statement of facts and not involving unlawful violence to the victim.’’
Mr James requested Judge Christopher Craigie grant 25 per cent discounts off Finekifolau’s sentence after he served more than 10 months in prison. He also wanted a three-year intensive correction order that would release him from jail.
”It’s better for society that he be brought back to the fold complying with the requirements of society not to offend,’’ he said.
However, the Crown argued Finekifolau long criminal history, which included convictions for common assault, destroying property and assault in custody, “showed a pattern of violent offending and disregarding the law’’.
The Crown also said he did assault Mr Geokjian at the house. “He had the opportunity to withdraw but he didn’t. He continued for the common purpose.’’
Justice Craigie reserved judgment for December 9.
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