Mario Venneri, Anthony Joseph Mowad: Men allegedly detained Sydney renter for $6000
Two men were allegedly detained in a Sydney home for up to half an hour as a landlord attempted to force his tenant to pay him back.
A Sydney landlord and his restaurateur friend allegedly detained two men for up to half an hour, assaulting one, in an attempt to retrieve $6000 in unpaid rent, court documents state.
Police allege the 24-year-old tenant, who was living in a property in Surry Hills, and his friend were held hostage after he fell in arrears due to the COVID-19 crisis and owed rent to his alleged attacker Mario Venneri.
Mr Venneri, 56, and Anthony “Tony” Mowad – a known figure in Sydney’s dining industry – were arrested and charged with detaining in company to gain personal advantage occasioning actual bodily harm following the incident on June 17.
Norah Head man Mr Venneri is also charged with detain in company with the intent to obtain advantage occasioning actual bodily harm, according to documents tendered to Downing Centre Local Court.
He was excused while Mr Mowad, 57, made a brief appearance before the court on Thursday, where their matters were adjourned until next month.
The documents allege the duo held Brice Gouillou and Paul Remilly against their will at the Clifton Reserve home between 3.30pm and 4pm on June 17 “with the intention of gaining $6000” and the NSW photo ID of Mr Gouillou.
The renter believed he had settled on a payment plan to pay back homeowner Mr Venneri prior to the incident, police allege.
Police allege the men threatened then assaulted the renter and stopped him from leaving until he paid the outstanding rent in full.
After he transferred funds, the tenant and his friend were allegedly allowed to leave and went immediately to Surry Hills police station to report the incident.
Mr Venneri was arrested about 10.30pm that night, and Mr Mowad presented himself to Surry Hills police on June 18.
They will return to court on September 3.
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