Focarelli faces court on kidnapping charge
Focarelli faces court on kidnapping charge
Adelaide gangland figure Vincenzo Focarelli and his son have faced court charged with kidnapping a man.
Yesterday evening a warrant was issued for Focarelli’s arrest, but he handed himself into police today.
His son Giuseppe was arrested early yesterday morning.
Police prosecutors told the court the man was picking up his girlfriend from a bus stop around 10pm when he was boxed in by two cars in the city.
“He was pulled out of the vehicle…punched in the head repeatedly… and threats to kill him were made,” police prosecutor Andrew Nichols told the court.
It is claimed he was driven to Teringie and managed to get help from the public, but required medical treatment for head injuries.
The court heard the alleged victim had sought his own legal advice and today submitted a sworn statement refuting the police allegations, instead claiming he got into the car voluntarily.
Defence lawyer Steve Georgiardis claims the victim was pressured and harassed by police.
A home detention report was ordered for Giuseppe who will reappear next week, but it was refused for his father, who has been remanded in custody until February.
