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Three accused over alleged abduction

 

 
 
A senior Rebels bikie is among those charged over the alleged abduction and torture of a man.

A senior Rebels bikie is among those charged over the alleged abduction and torture of a man.
THREE people, including a senior Rebels bikie, have been charged over the alleged abduction and torture of a man who police claim was hog-tied, bashed and set on fire during a 36-hour ordeal.

The victim, who cannot be identified, was allegedly forced into the boot of a car in Ashfield on Monday, before being driven to a nearby factory unit on Katanning Street in Bayswater.

The Perth Magistrate’s Court was told yesterday that the alleged victim was bound with plastic cable ties and repeatedly beaten with a combination of fists and weapons by his abductors who allegedly demanded money from the man.

The court was also told that at the height of the violence, the victim was doused with fuel and set on fire.

The violence ended only after the man was left alone for long enough to free himself by rubbing his restraints against the head of an axe that had been left near him.
He was then able to run into the street where he sought help from workers at a nearby business.

The court was told that when an ambulance arrived, some of his clothes had to be cut off him because they had melted on to his skin.

Officers from the WA Police gang crime squad arrested 50-year-old bikie Steven Wayne Taylor, as well as his girlfriend Jessica Lee Atkinson and nominee Rebels member Luke Edward Noormets.

The trio faced court yesterday on a string of charges including deprivation of liberty, aggravated robbery and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Taylor and Ms Atkinson did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody to appear again on June 28.

But Mr Noormets did apply for bail, representing himself during a short hearing yesterday afternoon.

He told the court that he understood the charges he was facing were “severe to say the least”, but claimed he was no longer involved with the Rebels and needed to be at home to look after his partner who was expecting a child.

He said he was willing to pay a substantial surety and would comply with any conditions applied by the court, including home detention.

But prosecutors opposed bail, telling the court the case against the three accused was “very strong” and there were real concerns for the safety of witnesses due to the links to a motorcycle gang.

 

The court was also told that the injuries to the victim, which included broken bones, burns and bruising, were substantial and were likely to require surgery.

Magistrate Robert Young rejected the bail application, telling Mr Noormets the allegations were “sinister” and, if proved, were likely to result in a jail term “approaching double digits”.

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