A Victorian court has been told the harrowing details of how a man was kidnapped, drugged and bound to a chair before being asked to choose what weapon his attackers should use against him during a terrifying 24-hour ordeal.
The men also made their victim call his parents to ask for $30,000 to secure his safe release.
A County Court jury found Daniel Tonkin, Dusan Javanov and Krishneil Chand guilty of all charges, including kidnapping, extortion with threat to inflict injury, common assault and theft over the incident in April 2019.
According to court documents, the ordeal started when the victim, who was friends with Tonkin, was staying at a hotel in the Melbourne suburb of Noble Park. He was met there by another co-accused Moana Ulutui and a man only known as Leon.
After later realising Leon had allegedly used his credit cards online, the victim became angry and called Chand and Tonkin and asked them to pick him up.
After arriving at a home in Cheltenham, the victim punched Leon in the face, prompting him to flee.
Tonkin then drove the victim to another unknown address where he was struck by Chand and Javanov. He was then bound to a chair before being repeatedly assaulted.
Police alleged in court documents that Chand and Javanov produced “intimidating” tools, including an axe and crowbar, before asking the victim to choose which one he wanted to be assaulted with.
Chand then demanded the man pay $30,000 for his release, prompting him to call his parents to ask for money.
During one of the victim’s desperate calls, his mother took screenshots that showed her son sitting in front of a fireplace with swollen eyes. Another shot captured him being assaulted.
The court was told that the men also stole their victim’s phone, laptop and clothing before Chand threatened the man with a knife if he didn’t pay up.
Documents submitted to court also detailed how Tonkin then drove the man to another property in Hampton East where he was forced to take Seroquel tablets.
The man escaped after waking from his drug-induced haze the following day and spotting a taxi that had pulled up in the driveway.
He urged the driver to take him away and he was transported to Sandringham Hospital where he was treated for bruising to his face, eyes as well as cuts to his nose.
The four men were arrested in the following weeks and denied any wrongdoing.
Tonkin, Javanov and Chand on Friday appeared in court where defence lawyers argued there was limited premeditation.
But Judge Patricia Riddell dismissed that submission, stating the victim was tied to a chair by ropes or cables, had a cloth in his mouth and was physically beaten.
The 27-year-old victim, whose identity remains suppressed, submitted a victim impact statement to court that described how he experienced ongoing trauma.
The man’s father also issued a statement in which he said he felt at a loss and bewildered for his son’s safety.
“I was totally on edge … it is every parent’s worst nightmare,” he said.
Judge Riddell adjourned the matter for further plea in July. The trio will be sentenced in August.
Co-accused Mr Ulutu has pleaded not guilty to charges and will front court at a later date.
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