The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

dirtydog

THREE teenagers charged with raping and threatening to kill two men are at risk of fleeing to Lebanon, a court has heard.

Eric Mumbler, 19, and his workmates at a demolition business, Nabil Merhi, 18, and Ahmed Yehia, 19, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today to apply for bail.

The trio - all wearing printed T-shirts and track pants - have been charged with almost 200 sexual and assault-related offences, including rape, possession of weapons and making threats to kill.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred between May and June in northwest suburban Melbourne.

Senior Constable Chris Walsh from the Sexual Crimes Squad told the court both Mr Merhi and Mr Yehia have family connections in Lebanon, and have travelled there following the alleged offences.

Mr Mumbler, who is not of Lebanese descent, has a girlfriend in Lebanon, has visited the country and intends to move there to live.

A search warrant executed in September at Mumbler's Broadmeadows home located a mobile phone containing two videos titled "007'' and "008", the court heard.

In one video, one of the alleged victims has an arm bound behind his back, his legs bound at ankles and his mouth gagged with tape.

One man, believed to be Mumbler, allegedly says: "Put the guns to his balls."

The other victim is allegedly struck with a firearm and both complainants have guns put to their heads, the court was told.

In the second video, footage allegedly shows both complainants bound and gagged on a sofa, and one is later punched by Mr Yehia a number of times.

Both are heard crying out and struggling to escape, Snr Const Walsh said.

He said the two victims were "very fearful" of the trio being released on bail and "that they will try and track them down and cause harm to them"'.

Prosecutors told the court the men posed a flight risk even if their passports are surrendered.

Lawyers for the three men deny their clients pose a risk of leaving the country, indicated by Mr Merhi and Mr Yehia's arrival back to Australia in recent months.

Mr Mumbler's lawyer told the court his client worked full-time as a caravan builder and helped to fund his mothers' heavy medication requirements for two chronic health conditions.

The hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Felicity Broughton continues tomorrow.

__________________