Man charged over alleged kidnapping, sexual assault and blackmail

NSW Police have charged a man believed to be behind the attack after another man, 29-year-old Yanyu Mu, was charged in June following his extradition from Victoria.

Investigators allege the victim was forced into a Toyota Camry by the men in Epping, Sydney at 6.45pm on April 20, 2024.

The 36-year-old woman was found by detectives at a home in Eastwood, in Sydney's west, at 1pm on April 21 and taken to hospital.

She told detectives that she had been injected with a drug and sexually assaulted.

The men also blindfolded, bound and gagged her during the "serious" and "violent" attack, police said.

The attackers took photos during the assault and threatened to release the images publicly unless the victim paid a $300,000 ransom, police will allege in court.

Investigators arrested a 37-year-old man at Silverwater Correctional Complex on July 15.

He was charged with taking or detaining in company with intent to ransom occasioning aggravated bodily harm, assaulting a person intending criminal activity of criminal group, aggravated sexual assault in company and deprivation of liberty.

He was also charged with using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence, intentionally recording intimate images without consent and threatening to distribute intimate image without consent.

The 37-year-old was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 16.

Mr Mu's case is also progressing through the courts.

Investigations continue as police search for others suspected of being involved in the kidnapping and assault.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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