NRL player Ryan Tandy accused of kidnapping to recover drug debt
RUGBY league player Ryan Tandy was allegedly the “hired muscle” in the intimidation and kidnapping of a man, a court has heard.
Tandy, from Saratoga in NSW, was arrested in Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast last week.
The former Bulldogs prop is accused of acting with Simon Daher to kidnap a man over a drug debt worth tens of thousands of dollars on January 16.
Tandy, 32, and Daher, 37, are charged with detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage.
The Gosford Local Court heard today that Tandy, at the behest of Daher, went to a Central Coast sports club and made himself available as a standover man to intimidate a man who allegedly owed Daher money.
Tandy and the alleged victim were later captured on CCTV at the Commonwealth Bank in Gosford.
Tandy’s lawyer Manny Conditsis told the court there had been no reference to his client depriving the alleged victim of his liberty.
“There is no suggestion Mr Tandy made any threat to the victim,” he said.
Mr Conditsis said the victim had his mobile phone with him but did not call police or alert bank staff.
But he sent a text message to his sister.
“If he had been kidnapped, what was she going to do?” Mr Conditsis asked.
The case came to a dramatic halt when a witness, who Mr Conditsis said was absent from the police facts, stood up and identified herself in the back of the courtroom.
The woman shuffled out of court with the prosecution and defence and was interviewed by police for about 45 minutes.
The prosecutor told the court the witness was probably worried for her safety for what she told police.
The court heard the witness claimed she and the alleged victim had bumped into Tandy and Daher.
Mr Conditsis argued that while the witness spent time with the two accused and the alleged victim, she heard nothing “untoward”.
Magistrate John Chicken said that in light of the material from the new witness, the prosecution case had certainly “taken a hit”.
Mr Chicken said that according to the facts, Daher had made the threats of physical harm, including to smash the victim’s knees in.
Tandy was granted bail with a $2000 surety. He must report daily to Gosford police.
The case was adjourned for reply on April 11.
Daher did not apply for bail and bail was formally refused.
Outside court, Mr Conditsis said Tandy looked forward to defending himself against the charges and was very pleased to be granted bail.
“In our view and with all due respect to the magistrate it was the correct and courageous decision for him to do,” he told reporters.
“We suggest the crown case against Mr Tandy is very weak.”
He said the crown case was “complete and replete with inconsistencies”.
Tandy had been banned from playing professional rugby league after being embroiled in a betting scandal during the 2010 season.
AAP
