Melbourne Magistrates’ Court: Matter of alleged TikTok kidnapper Catherine Colivas and friends delayed by Saudi Arabian rules

A wannabe TikTok star and her mates who allegedly held a man at knifepoint for $40,000 in Bitcoin have to wait for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to give approval for a witness to give evidence.

Paris Kennedy (left) and Catherine Colivas (right) will reappear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in late March.

The victim of an alleged kidnapping at the hands of a wannabe TikTok star and her mates must wait for permission from the Saudi Arabian monarchy to give evidence.

Three Melbourne women in their 20s were charged by police after an alleged Moorabbin kidnapping in February this year where a man was allegedly assaulted with a knife before he was forced to cough up almost $40,000 in Bitcoin.

Police allege the trio also demanded a $100,000 ransom from his friend for his safe return.

The link between the trio and the man was still unknown, but a court previously heard the kidnapping was connected to online dating apps.

One of the women, Angela Davis, was granted a diversion after she pleaded guilty to a single charge of handling property reasonably believed to be proceeds of crime.

The court heard the 22-year-old had suffered extra curial punishment due to media coverage, lost her job in aged care and was unable to use social media while on bail for almost 10 months.

Angela Davis was granted a diversion after she pleaded guilty to a single charge of handling property reasonably believed to be proceeds of crime.

Magistrate Malcolm Thomas noted a letter of support from her parents and said she had enrolled to study and pursue a career in social work.

The remaining pair, Paris Kennedy and Catherine Colivas, had their matters adjourned after prosecution informed the court they were not ready to proceed due to the unavailability of their primary witness.

The police prosecutor said it was his understanding the witness was willing to provide evidence but had to await permission from his homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to give evidence.

Prosecution told the court they had requested assistance from the Attorney-General’s department to contact Saudi officials before they learned of the unique situation.

The court heard the victim left Australia about the time of the first committal mention.

The matter was listed for a two day committal to begin on March 27.