A TikTok creator who used her looks to lure a Saudi Arabian royal into a terrifying abduction and robbery ordeal has dodged jail at the County Court of Victoria.
Catherine Colivas, 24, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, extortion, recklessly causing injury, theft and gun possession over the brutal attack on her 23-year old victim in February last year.
The maximum sentence for kidnapping in Victoria is 25 years, but on Monday Judge Nola Karapanagiotidis allowed her to walk free on a community corrections order.
Her co-accused, Paris Kennedy, 22, was also released on a good behaviour bond after having already spent 90 days behind bars after her arrest last year.
She had pleaded guilty to lesser charges of theft and burglary.
The court heard their victim was forced to pay $40,000 in Bitcoin after meeting Colivas when they matched on a dating application.
Trash: Catherine Colivas (right) leaves the County Court of Victoria on Monday
Partners in crime: Paris Kennedy (left) and Catherine Colivas (right)
Colivas is the sister of convicted criminal Andrew Colivas who died in August from a suspected drug overdose in Vietnam.
The court heard she buttered her date up with drinks in Highett and dinner in Cheltenham before he drove her home.
But as he walked Colivas to her door, he was set upon by three men, including Colivas’ drug dealing boyfriend.
The victim then endured a nightmare ordeal at their hands after he was bound with cable ties and threatened at knifepoint.
Judge Karapanagiotidis said the men threatened to cut the man’s fingers off if he didn’t hand over $20,000 in cash.
The court heard the man, who sold Rolex watches and traded in crypto currency, could only offer Bitcoin, which he had transferred across by a friend he was forced to phone-in for help.
The social media influencers then got hold of the man’s keys to his home and drove there in the middle of night to ransack his property.
The court heard Colivas and Kennedy helped themselves to designer clothes, a Louis Vutton bag, a Playstation 5 and several iPhones before finally releasing the man, who went immediately to police.
He spent the night in hospital with injuries to his wrists and head.
Paris Kennedy, 22, (right) is chased by reporters on Monday as she leaves the County Court of Victoria
Colivas had nothing to say when questioned outside court on Monday
Judge Karapanagiotidis said Colivas was instrumental to the evil plot.
‘You were a lure, or bait,’ she said. ‘You played a crucial role.’
But the judge ruled Colivas had proven ‘exceptional circumstances’, which was required by law to keep her out of prison with the 30-month community corrections order.
Those reasons included her youth, upbringing, fragile mental health, prospects of rehabilitation and the fact her criminal brother had died while she was awaiting justice.
Andrew Colivas, 25, and Vincent Satuala Atulia, 24, were holidaying with friends in south-east Asia when they died unexpectedly.
Court records obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed Atulia had been ordered to appear before court 78 times since 2019, while Colivas had 12 court appearances dating back to 2021.
His death had devastated Colivas – a hairdresser and beautician – who now visited his grave three times a week.
‘I accept it was a jolting experience for you,’ Judge Karapanagiotidis said.
The court heard Kennedy, who originates from Sydney, had a similar story of childhood difficulties.
Andrew Colivas’ sister (right) said her ‘heart aches’ in a tribute to her brother (left) made in August
The cosmetic tattooer had already been serving a community corrections order she received in New South Wales over a violent brawl.
Judge Karapanagiotidis accepted Kennedy had shown remorse with a heartfelt apology to the court and her victim, stating she was ‘truly sorry’.
Both women beamed with joy upon hearing they would be allowed to walk free from court. The pair refused to speak to a waiting media pack outside of court.
