24-year-old Catherine Colivas and three others kidnapped a member of the Saudi royal family and forced him to transfer $40,000 in Bitcoin. The perpetrators threatened to cut off his fingers if he didn’t pay. Despite pleading guilty to the charges, Colivas avoided jail time and was sentenced to community service.
Plan Began on a Dating App
The court heard that Colivas met the victim through a dating app and later went out for dinner and drinks. After the evening, the royal accompanied her home, where three men, including one of Colivas’ friends, were waiting.
The victim was tied up with cables and threatened with a knife.
He was told his fingers would be cut off if he didn’t pay.
Theft of Cryptocurrency and Other Items
Since the victim was a cryptocurrency trader, he offered to transfer $40,000 in Bitcoin. To complete the transaction, he had to call a friend for assistance. The perpetrators also stole:
Keys to his house
Designer clothing
A PlayStation 5 and several iPhones
After the incident, the victim was released and immediately contacted the police. Due to injuries to his head and wrists, he spent the night in a hospital.
Sentence: No Jail Time Due to "Exceptional Circumstances"
Despite the severity of the crime, Colivas was only sentenced to a 30-month community correction order, the Australian equivalent of community service.
The judge justified the decision by citing:
Colivas’ young age
Her troubled upbringing
Fragile mental health
Rehabilitation prospects
The tragic death of her brother while awaiting trial.
Colivas’ brother, Andrew, died at the age of 25 while on vacation in Southeast Asia.
Another Involved Woman Also Pleads Guilty
22-year-old Paris Kennedy was also involved in the case and pleaded guilty to theft and burglary. After serving 90 days in jail, she was released on good behavior. The judge noted that Kennedy had shown genuine remorse for the victim.
Conclusion
Despite the violent nature of the crime, Catherine Colivas avoided jail time. The decision has sparked questions about the appropriateness of the sentence, especially given the serious nature of the offenses.
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