Expectant mum fronts court over her part in kidnapping with Rebels bikie

An animal lover lured a man on the pretext of a drug deal to a dirt road in Craigieburn where a Rebels OMCG enforcer was waiting with a sledgehammer

Erin Gray lured a man to Craigieburn where Rebels OMCG enforcer Phillip Maynard clobbered him with a hammer.

A vet nurse who lured a man to a dead-end dirt road on the pretext of a drug deal before he was viciously assaulted by a senior Rebels bikie has escaped a prison sentence.

Erin Gray, 37, of Wallan, appeared for sentencing in the County Court on Thursday after earlier pleading guilty to charges of false imprisonment, causing injury intentionally, theft and driving while disqualified.

She was sentenced to two years community corrections order.

Gray, who is six months pregnant, lured 29-year-old Irfaaz Ali to Craigieburn where Rebels OMCG enforcer Phillip Maynard punched Mr Ali in the face 15 to 20 times, pulled his nose ring out with pliers and struck his kneecap with a sledgehammer.

Maynard was sentenced in December to three years’ jail with a minimum non parole of two years for his role in the offending.

His girlfriend Rory Walker, who was allegedly present when Mr Ali was beaten up, is facing one charge of possession of a drug of dependance and she will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court in April.

Rebels bikie Phillip Maynard pressured Erin Gray to lure a man to Craigieburn on the pretext of a drug deal.

Gray stole cash, a bag, jewellery and a cellphone from Mr Ali.

In court on Thursday, Judge Pardeep Tiwana said a non-custodial sentence could be imposed given Gray was a first-time offender, the steps she has taken to turn her life around and the fact she was pressured by Maynard to participate in the offending.

Judge Tiwana said Gray’s life went into a downward spiral after separation from her partner when she started using recreational drugs and associating with Maynard and others.

She lost her job as a vet nurse following the offending but managed to find work at another vet clinic.

Judge Tiwana said while the false imprisonment was for a relatively short duration, it involved premeditation and that Gray brought the victim to a secluded location under false pretences.

“It was plain that your victim was subjected to a terrifying ordeal. You felt under pressure from Maynard to take part in the offending.

“It is regrettable that someone of your background became embroiled in this out-of-character offending. It appears that the enormity of the offending has left its mark on you and you’ve taken steps to reassess your life,” the judge said.