Teen allegedly played ‘pivotal role’ in kidnapping

A teenager aided in the kidnapping and torture of a man while demanding a multimillion-dollar ransom, a court has heard.

A teenager accused of kidnapping a man and holding him hostage for a $5m ransom would be “highly motivated” to flee the state if he was granted bail, a court has heard.

Lolo Liavaa, 19, was beamed into the NSW Supreme Court on Friday via audiovisual link to make a desperate bid for bail after spending just under a month behind bars on remand.

Police allege he was one of six men who abducted Sydney resident Peter Vuong from his home in western Sydney at 5.20am on March 9.

The group of men allegedly stormed the Smithfield house with a sledgehammer and a gun and forced Mr Vuong into the back of a vehicle.

Peter Vuong was allegedly abducted from his home. Picture: 9 News

He was allegedly held hostage for six days. Picture: 9 News

They drove him to a rundown house in Belmore, in Sydney’s west, where they held him hostage for six days, according to police allegations.

During that time, police claim his captors tortured the 26-year-old and forcibly removed his teeth.

Mr Liavaa and his alleged co-offenders were attempting to extort $5m from Mr Vuong’s family and friends in order to secure his release, the court was told.

The court heard the multimillion-dollar ransom would be used to fund “someone’s drug business”.

Crown prosecutor Caroline Ervin claimed the teen played a “pivotal role” in the alleged violent abduction and assault.

“He is clearly involved in the kidnapping from before it occurs until his arrest on the day the complainant was found by police,” she said.

“He wasn’t on the periphery, he was in the midst of it.”

She told the court data extracted from Mr Liavaa’s phone placed him near the Smithfield house at the time of the kidnapping and showed him returning to the Belmore area every day during the hostage period.

The house on Canterbury Rd in Belmore where Peter Vuong was allegedly held captive. Picture: Google Maps

The court heard police had discovered text messages on the teen’s phone which laid out the kidnapping plan.

The messages allegedly included the location, the vehicles to be used before and after the offence, and instructions on how to treat the hostage.

“He was involved in this meticulously planned kidnapping,” Ms Ervin said.

“It was not a spontaneous matter.”

However, Mr Liavaa’s lawyer, Matthew Johnston, argued there was no evidence to place his client inside either the house where Mr Vuong was abducted or the “safe house” in Belmore.

Police surveillance on the day of the teen’s arrest showed he was outside the entire time, the defence lawyer noted.

He said the evidence suggested his client had played a lesser role from “one step back” and that he had not been aware Mr Vuong was being subjected to torture during his days in captivity.

Ms Ervin hit back at the claim, telling the court Mr Liavaa returned to the Belmore house every day.

“It cannot be suggested that he did not know what was going to happen,” she said.

Mr Liavaa allegedly drove to the Belmore house every day during the hostage period. Picture: Google Maps

The court heard the victim sustained “severe damage” during the terrifying ordeal, including facial injuries and missing teeth. He was taken to hospital for treatment after police rescued him.

Officers allegedly uncovered a pistol grip during a raid of Mr Liavaa’s house, which the prosecutor said was proof he had access to firearms and firearm parts.

Ms Ervin argued Mr Liavaa would reoffend or flee the jurisdiction if he was released from custody.

However, Mr Johnston claimed the risks could be mitigated by Mr Liavaa being confined to his home under 24-hour supervision by his family and a “significant” $100,000 surety.

Justice Sarah McNaughton said the teen’s role in the alleged violent kidnapping was unclear.

While the investigation is still ongoing, Justice McNaughton said the evidence mounted a “strong case” that Mr Liavaa had been embroiled in the “highly planned criminal act”.

“The material indicates that this applicant was involved from the beginning of the kidnapping to the release,” she said.

“It appears he has involved himself in some of the most serious criminal conduct that he can be charged with.”

Police stormed the house on March 14 and rescued Mr Vuong. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard.

The Supreme Court Justice noted the 19-year-old was facing a “very lengthy term of imprisonment” if convicted and deemed he would be “highly motivated to flee” the state and refused to grant bail.

Sitting in a cell wearing his prison greens, Mr Liavaa looked crushed as she delivered her decision.

He and his five co-accused were arrested after police identified the Belmore home where Mr Vuong was being held and stormed the premises during a dramatic raid on March 14.

The teen was charged with six offences, including possessing an illegal firearm and detaining someone in company with the intent to ransom them occasioning actual bodily harm.

His co-accused Sunia Tu Ineau Junior Siasau, John Totau Fahamokioa, Viliami Siasu, Valali Tonga, Lolo Liavaa and Kiteau Tatafu remain before the courts.