‘Business is not being too nice honey’: Alleged texts sent to Block star demand victim pay up
Shocking texts allegedly sent by a man to former Block star Suzi Taylor have been shown to a court. Both are on trial accused of extorting a man.
The jury in the trial of Suzi Taylor and her co-accused Ali Ebrahimi have been shown texts allegedly sent by Mr Ebrahimi urging the ex-Block star to make her escort date pay up and warning her not to be “too nice”.
Mr Ebrahimi and Ms Taylor, real name Suellen Jan Taylor, are alleged to have tied up, assaulted and taken money from David John Butler during an escort date gone wrong in October 2019.
In phone logs shown to Brisbane District Court, Mr Ebrahimi is alleged to have sent multiple texts to Ms Taylor early in the morning, indicating he was behind the door and urging her to stay on top of payments she was owed.
Ms Taylor and Mr Ebrahimi have pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, extortion, fraud and attempted fraud.
In a series of texts after 2.30am on October 30, 2019, Mr Ebrahimi is alleged to have asked Ms Taylor if the victim was going to pay up and urging her to message him.
“He paying? 2.5hr on clock,” one text sent at 2.38am reads.
Another sent just before 2am reads: “He needs to pay f**k this c**t and his f**got caravan $$$.”
At 2.56am, a text reading “3 hrs stay on top payment business is not being too nice honey” is sent from the phone.
“Make sure he pays every hour don’t be too nice your (sic) working,” another text, sent at 2.40am, reads.
The crown alleges Mr Butler arranged to meet with Ms Taylor, whom he knew as “Katie” via an escort service, at Ms Taylor’s New Farm apartment.
After a dispute broke out over payment, Mr Ebrahimi is alleged to have attacked Mr Butler, dragged him into the kitchen and tied him up with a phone cord.
The pair then allegedly punched and kicked Mr Butler as he lay on the floor.
It is alleged Mr Ebrahimi used Mr Butler’s bank card to withdraw $950 from an ATM.
Another $250 was allegedly missing from Mr Butler’s wallet when he was eventually released.
On Thursday, Mr Butler told the court that Mr Ebrahimi threatened him not to go to police after releasing him.
Neighbours who lived near the unit block where the ordeal allegedly took place gave evidence they heard calls of “help” around 5.30am that morning and a male voice shouting for someone to get off.
Senior Constable Amanda Joy, who worked at the Fortitude Valley police station, said she had a conversation with Mr Butler when he attended the station on the morning of October 30.
She said he did not appear intoxicated when they spoke.
“He seemed quite shaken, distressed,” she told the court.
During a fiery cross-examination, Ms Taylor’s defence barrister Carl Benjamin grilled Mr Butler about his actions that night.
Mr Benjamin suggested Mr Butler had lied to police about previously chatting with Ms Taylor over the dating app Tinder before arrangements with the escort service.
He suggested Mr Butler had consumed more alcohol than he had originally let on and had brought bottles of champagne and red wine with the intent to “charm” her.
Mr Butler denied taking a shower at the apartment and refusing to leave when asked to by Ms Taylor.
“I’m suggesting to you afterwards … you were upset you paid money and didn’t get to have the sex you wanted to have,” Mr Benjamin said.
“So you went to the police and falsely claimed you were assaulted and forced to give money in the hopes you would get money back.”
“No, that definitely did not happen,” Mr Butler replied.
Mr Butler admitted he lied to police about meeting Ms Taylor through Tinder because he was “embarrassed and ashamed”.
On Thursday, he alleged he was restrained for so long and feeling so overwhelmed with fear that he soiled his pants.
The court was told the pair agreed that Mr Butler would pay $250 for half an hour.
Yulia Chekirova, acting for Mr Ebrahimi, asked Mr Butler on Friday if it was possible he soiled himself “because of the shock” of seeing Mr Ebrahimi in the apartment.
“No, that did not happen,” Mr Butler answered.
The trial continues.