Cricket legend Stuart MacGill allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint, four charged

NSW Police have revealed a key detail in the alleged kidnapping of cricket great Stuart MacGill after charging four men in relation to the matter.

Police will allege cricket great Stuart MacGill was betrayed by a man close to him after charging four men in relation to his kidnapping.

NSW Police will allege on April 14, 50-year-old former Test cricketer MacGill was stopped by a 46-year-old man near the intersection of Parraween and Winne Streets at Cremorne on Sydney’s lower north shore.

The pair were then approached by two other men, who allegedly forced MacGill into a vehicle.

According to police, MacGill was then driven to a property an hour away at Bringelly in Sydney’s southwest, where the two men, and another man, allegedly assaulted him and threatened him with a firearm.

After an hour, MacGill was driven to Belmore and dropped off, police said.

The 46-year-old man was arrested at Brighton Le Sands and charged with detaining in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm, participating in a criminal group (contributing to criminal activity) and supplying a prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective acting superintendent Anthony Holton, said the 46-year-old was known to MacGill and had allegedly helped organise the kidnapping.

“It was a personal relationship,” Detective acting superintendent Holton said.

“I’d say the 46-year-old man’s involvement, we’ll be alleging, was part of the facilitation of his kidnapping.”

Asked by a reporter whether MacGill was allegedly betrayed by someone he knew, Detective acting superintendent Holton said, “yes”.

Stuart MacGill leaving his home at Cremorne. Picture: Adam Yip/ Daily Telegraph

MacGill reported the incident to North Shore Police Area Command six days later on April 20.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad then launched an investigation under Strike Force Cain.

On Wednesday, detectives from Strike Force Cain and Strike Force Raptor, as well as the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested the 46-year-old along with three other men, aged 27, 29 and 42.

“It was a targeted kidnapping to try and obtain as much money as they could,” Detective acting superintendent Holton alleged.

“No ransom was made and no money was obtained.”

The 42-year-old man charged with knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and detaining in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 27-year-old man was arrested at Caringbah while the 29-year-old was arrested at Sutherland.

Police arrest one of the men in relation to alleged kidnapping of Stuart MacGill. Picture: NSW Police

Four men will face court today over the alleged kidnapping. Picture: NSW Police

The men were taken to Sutherland Police Station and both were charged with participating in a criminal group (contributing to criminal activity) and detaining in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.

All four men were refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday.

MacGill played 44 Tests for Australia and three One-Day Internationals.

As a leg-spinner, he was the successor to Australia’s greatest ever wicket-taker Shane Warne and took 208 test wickets.

Originally published as Cricket legend Stuart MacGill allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint, four charged