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A former leading New Zealand boxer went on trial in Auckland today for allegedly kidnapping a car dealer and trying to extort $21,700 from him.
Sean Sullivan, 40, a former national titleholder in several boxing classes, and Alistair McNab both deny charges of kidnap, demanding with menaces, injuring with intent and theft.
The charges allege the pair, who work as debt collectors, unlawfully detained second hand car salesman John Marshall at his west Auckland home in April 2006.
Crown prosecutor Mina Wharepouri told a jury in Auckland District today that Sullivan and McNab lured Mr Marshall back to his property, purportedly to talk about a client's unhappiness about a car she bought from him.
Mr Wharepouri said they assaulted Mr Marshall, detained him at his house and demanded $21,700, which the unhappy car buyer had paid for the car.
He said the men again assaulted Mr Marshall as he tried to leave his place. Eventually they stole two cordless phones and two pairs of sunglasses from his place before leaving.
Sullivan and McNab claim they did nothing criminal, but were acting legally as debt collectors.
McNab's lawyer Stuart Grieve and Sullivan's lawyer Andrew Speed said their clients both agreed a physical altercation took place but they said it was Mr Marshall who started the fight once they were inside his house.
Mr Speed said Sullivan was merely defending himself from an attack by Mr Marshall, and Mr Grieve said McNab was going to Sullivan's aid.
The trial before a jury of 10 men and two women is due to last for a week.
- NZPA
