Catherine Colivas, 24 and Paris Kennedy, 22, face court over Moorrabin kidnapping

A Greek priest has defended a woman facing charges related to a kidnapping in Moorabbin last year, describing her as “more peaceful” since joining the church.

Paris Kennedy (left) and Catherine Colivas (right) were called before the County Court on Thursday over the kidnapping of a Cairnlea man in February 2023. Picture: Supplied

A Melbourne woman who orchested a violent kidnapping has had some divine intervention in the form of a Greek priest who has described her as “peaceful” since joining the church, a court has heard.

Catherine Colivas, 24, and Paris Kennedy, 22, previously pleaded guilty at the County Court to several charges in relation to the kidnapping of a Carinlea man in February 2023 — who was then forced to cough up $40,000 worth of Bitcoin.

The court heard Colivas and the man had been on a date when she invited him back to her place in Moorabbin.

But as they approached her home the man was jumped and assaulted by three males who shoved him into a car and took him to an industrial area where he was threatened and forced to transfer money.

Paris Kennedy (left) and Catherine Colivas (right) faced the County Court on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Several family members attended the pair’s County Court plea on Thursday, including a St Gregorios Orthodox Church priest who gave evidence in support of Colivas.

The court heard Colivas’ brother Andrew was an active member of the Greek church prior to his death in Vietnam in August, with Catherine since becoming more involved and developing a close relationship with the church’s priest Father Antonio.

Father Antonio told the court Colivas “looked lost” after her brother’s untimely death but became “more peaceful”, regularly attending youth group sessions at the church.

Her lawyer Penny Marcou said Colivas visited her brother’s grave three times a week and had shown remorse for her offending, including writing a letter to the victim.

Andrew Colivas died while on holiday in Vietnam in August. Picture: Supplied

The court heard after the victim was kidnapped, Colivas and Kennedy went to his apartment where they stole designer clothing, a Louis Vutton bag, a Playstation 5 and several iPhones.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the victim said he developed “major trust issues” after the incident.

“This has pushed me away from getting married and having any other relationships in the future,” he wrote.

On Thursday, Kennedy pleaded guilty to a summary charge of handling property proceeds of crime, being the items stolen from the victim’s Carinlea apartment.

She had previously pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges on the indictment.

Kennedy spent 90 days at Dame Phyllis Frost centre in pre-sentence detention before she received bail.

Kennedy’s lawyer Kate Ballard told the court her client grew up in an abusive household with drugs present in Sydney, running away several times and staying in refuge centres before moving to Melbourne for a better life in 2022.

“She was denied a safe home environment that every child is entitled to,” Ms Ballard said.

“An upbringing stays with a person forever and despite this she’s on a really positive path and working towards reform.”

The court heard she had since developed a good relationship with her parents, with her father supporting her in court on Thursday.

Ms Ballard said Kennedy had done “really well” on bail, submitting further punishment behind bars would not be appropriate.

“She has been sufficiently punished by serving 90 days in remand in a state that is not her home,” Ms Ballard said.

“She demonstrated the ability to comply with bail conditions and all in all this matter can be finalised without needing to return to custody”.

Judge Nola Karapanagiotidis adjourned the matter for sentencing later this month.