‘Ali, he’s got no money’: Court told how ex-Block star’s cry led to man’s alleged extortion
A court has heard how former Block star Suzi Taylor yelled something before her co-accused allegedly tied another man up.
“Ali, he’s got no money!”
A court has heard this was the alarm raised by Suzi Taylor that allegedly led to a man’s terrifying ordeal at the hands of the former Block star and her co-accused, Ali Ebrahimi, in the early hours of the morning of October 30, 2019.
Ms Taylor and Mr Ebrahimi are on trial at Brisbane District Court over an alleged extortion ordeal at a New Farm apartment.
Both have pleaded not guilty to extortion, deprivation of liberty, fraud, attempted fraud and assault occasioning bodily harm.
The crown alleges the victim, David Butler, attended Ms Taylor’s apartment in the early hours of the morning after engaging her through an escort service.
After a dispute broke out between the pair over payment, Mr Ebrahimi is alleged to have dragged Mr Butler out of the bedroom, assaulted him and tied him up with cords.
Mr Butler was allegedly punched and kicked by the pair and kept in the apartment for hours.
$950 was allegedly withdrawn from his bank account using an ATM.
During his closing argument, crown prosecutor Ben Jackson argued Mr Ebrahimi knew exactly what Ms Taylor meant when she cried out and what he needed to do.
He described Mr Ebrahimi as “the enforcer”.
“There was enforcement that needed to be undertaken, and enforcement there was,” Mr Jackson said.
Mr Jackson said the entire ordeal was “all about the money” and it would have been a traumatic experience for Mr Butler.
He said Ms Taylor “procured” Mr Ebrahimi to carry out the extortion and she was therefore liable for attempting to obtain the money.
“At no point did he (Mr Butler) give any consent to the assaults, to being detained or the actual withdrawal of money,” Mr Jackson said.
“In what reasonable realm of our society is it honest conduct to tie someone up and get access to their banking app, through the infliction of violence or threats?
“It’s simply, totally dishonest conduct.”
During his closing address, Mr Ebrahimi insisted his statement had remained the same since he first gave it to police.
Referring to Mr Butler, he asked if it was “excusable” to lie to police and the magistrates court, and urged the jury to “make their decisions thoughtfully”.
The jury was earlier told Mr Ebrahimi would be representing himself for the remainder of the trial.
Defence barrister James Benjamin, acting for Ms Taylor, briefly addressed the jury, urging them to keep an open mind on the evidence presented.
“Ultimately … this case rises and falls on the reliability and credibility of … Mr Butler,” he said.
“It relies on the credibility of a man who sat in the witness box, under affirmation, and lied to a court.”
Mr Benjamin will continue his address on Wednesday.
Both defendants chose not to give evidence when the crown closed their case.
Mr Butler gave evidence he was tied up, assaulted and kept in Ms Taylor’s apartment for hours after getting into a dispute over payment.
He told the court Mr Ebrahimi threatened him not to go to police after releasing him.
Lawyers acting for the defendants grilled Mr Butler over allegations he lied to police about previously contacting Ms Taylor on other dating sites prior to meeting her on October 30, 2019.
Neighbours in the area gave evidence last week they heard yelling and screaming from the apartment close to 5.30am that morning.
Mr Ebrahimi is alleged to have sent texts to Ms Taylor urging her to “make sure he (Mr Butler) pays every hour”.
The trial continues.