A 24-year-old woman kidnapped a Saudi Arabian royal, with the help of three others, and forced him to pay $40,000 in Bitcoin after threatening to cut his fingers off. But, as reported by the Daily Mail, the perpetrator was not put behind bars—despite pleading guilty.

Catherine Colivas faced a maximum sentence of 25 years at her Monday hearing in Victoria, Australia. She pleaded guilty to kidnapping, extortion, recklessly causing injury, theft and gun possession. However, she only received a community corrections order—essentially, Australia’s version of community service.

The County Court of Victoria heard that Colivas went for drinks and dinner with the Saudi royal after they matched on a dating app. Then Colivas’ date drove her back home. As the royal walked Colivas to her door, he was ambushed by three men—including Colivas’ boyfriend.

The victim was then cable tied so he could not leave and threatened at knifepoint. The judge heard that he was told that his fingers would be cut off if he did not pay the perpetrators money. 

As he was a crypto trader, the victim offered Bitcoin and had to phone a friend to complete the transfer of $40,000. After this, his keys were stolen and the perpetrators raided his home. Court documents say they stole designer clothes, a Playstation 5, and several iPhones.

The victim was then released and immediately went to the police, before spending the night in hospital nursing wounds to his head and wrists.

But despite the severity of the crime that Colivas pleaded guilty to, the judge believed a 30-month community corrections order was sufficient due to “exceptional circumstances.”

Namely, the judge cited her youth, troubled upbringing, fragile mental health, prospects of rehabilitation, and that her brother had died while awaiting her trial as reasons for the sentencing. 

Andrew Colivas, Catherine’s brother, unexpectedly died at 25 while on holiday with friends in south-east Asia.

Another woman, 22 year-old Paris Kennedy, also pleaded guilty of lesser charges of theft and burglary, in relation to the case. Having already spent 90 days behind bars, she was released on good behaviour after the judge said Kennedy had displayed genuine remorse to the victim.

Edited by Stacy Elliott.

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