Jordan Smith, 27, charged over kidnapping, torture of Bendigo man

A fourth person has been charged over the kidnapping and alleged torture of a Bendigo man who was allegedly stabbed 17 times during a love triangle revenge attack.

Jordan Smith, 27, charged over the kidnapping and alleged torture of a Bendigo man. Picture: Victoria Police.

A fourth person has been charged over the kidnapping and alleged torture of a Bendigo man who was allegedly stabbed 17 times during a love triangle revenge attack.

Jordan Smith, 27, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Monday where charges were officially filed against him for his involvement in the June 9 attack following a month-long manhunt.

Police allege Mr Smith, Samuel Leighton, 31, William Armor, 34, kidnapped the 26-year-old victim because he had been romantically involved with Mr Leighton’s girlfriend Valeria McCauley, 34 — who was also charged in relation to the alleged attack — while Mr Leighton was locked up in prison.

Valeria McCauley, Sam Leighton, William Armor charged over the kidnapping and alleged torture of a Bendigo man. Picture: Supplied.

The man was allegedly bailed up in a car where the three men allegedly beat the man, with Mr Leighton accused of holding a 30cm knife to his face, demanding he unlock his mobile phone.

When he refused, Mr Leighton allegedly stabbed him 17 times in the hips and legs.

The three men then took him to Ms McCauley’s Kangaroo Flat home where they allegedly continued to torture him before dumping him in nearby bushland where he nearly died of exposure and his injuries.

Police arrested three other people accused of being involved in the kidnapping on June 19.

Mr Smith, who has no fixed address, was arrested at a Caroline Springs in Melbourne’s West on Saturday.

He has been charged with multiple offences including kidnapping, false imprisonment, armed robbery, reckless cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence.

Mr Smith refused to appear at court on Monday because he was feeling “very unwell”, the court heard.

His lawyer told the court Mr Smith had consumed a “significant amount” of narcotics prior to his arrest and was withdrawing from heroin and GHB.

Mr Smith did not apply for bail and will return to court alongside his co-accused at a later date.