One of four men who allegedly kidnapped former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill is the brother of his ex-partner.
Marino Sotiropoulos, 46, is accused of confronting the retired leg-spin bowler on the corner of Parraween and Winnie streets in Cremorne on April 14.
Two other men allegedly bundled Mr MacGill into a car before driving to a home at Bringelly in Sydney’s west.
Detectives said he was then bashed and held at gunpoint for an hour before being dumped at Belmore in Sydney’s south-west.
Six days later, the incident was reported to police.
“Everyone experiences trauma differently — to be dragged into a car, driven to a remote location, physically assaulted, threatened with a firearm —I think you would be pretty worried about your own personal safety,” Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Holton said.
“He was seen as someone that they could get money from, although no money was paid prior to him being released.”
Heavily armed officers stormed homes at Caringbah and Sutherland in Sydney’s south, arresting four men, including Mr Sotiropoulos.
Raids were also carried out at apartments in Brighton Le Sands and Marrickville.
For the past three years, Mr MacGill has been managing a restaurant and bar called Aristotle’s at Neutral Bay on Sydney’s lower north shore.
The Greek restaurant on Young Street is owned by his ex-partner, Maria O’Meagher.
Her brother, Mr Sotiropoulos, has been charged with take/detain company with intent to get advantage, occasion actual bodily harm, participate in a criminal group and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
Three other men, aged 27, 29, and 42, also faced Sutherland Court on Wednesday and were refused bail.
Mr MacGill was seen leaving his Cremorne apartment in a car driven by detectives on Wednesday afternoon and it is believed he was required to make a further statement.
Mr MacGill played 44 Test matches for Australia, and three one-day internationals, between 1998 and 2008.
At the time, he was widely regarded as the world’s second-best leg-spinner, but his career largely played out in Shane Warne’s shadow.
In 2015, Mr MacGill sued Cricket Australia for $2.6 million for failing to pay him injury payments after his retirement.
Two years later, a confidential settlement was reached.
Source: ABC News.
