Adelaide, Australia — Angela Antartis, a 26-year-old from Woodville North, has entered a guilty plea for her involvement in a harrowing incident where a man was held hostage and assaulted under severe conditions in January 2023. Antartis, together with 44-year-old co-defendant Zoran Aligrudic, was accused of a violent attack that left their victim suffering both physically and mentally.
The duo kidnapped a man in a Kilkenny carport, forcibly stripping him, cutting his hair and beard, and subjecting him to prolonged physical abuse. According to court hearings, the motivation behind the brutal act stemmed from their mistaken belief that the victim had previously pleaded guilty to an indecent assault.
During the incident, the assailants used drugs and forced the victim to make an apologetic phone call to his alleged accuser, the court documents revealed. Both Antartis and Aligrudic were under the influence of methamphetamine, which they claimed influenced their actions.
Antartis, who is currently in custody, pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and multiple counts of assault. Aligrudic also pleaded guilty and faces additional charges related to drug trafficking and firearm possession. His lawyer attributed his participation in the crime to impulsive behavior following his marital breakdown and methamphetamine use.
The victim, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, shared his traumatic experiences in a victim impact statement, expressing that the event was among the “worst events of his 25 years of life” and has resulted in ongoing nightmares and severe anxiety. “I am scarred from their actions both physically and mentally,” he disclosed during the hearing.
In court, Antartis’ defense cited her troubled childhood and subsequent struggles with drug addiction as significant factors contributing to her criminal behavior. They also highlighted her attempts to engage in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated in hopes of reforming her life post-release.
The extent of the physical and emotional damage inflicted on the victim underscores the event’s severity. Experts suggest that incidents involving methamphetamine frequently result in heightened aggression and reduced impulse control, which may have exacerbated the violence in this case.
The legal proceedings have captured public attention, highlighting the broader issues of substance abuse and the consequences of vigilante justice. Legal professionals emphasize the importance of addressing drug addiction within the community as a preventive measure against such violent crimes.
District Court Judge Rauf Soulio is scheduled to sentence both defendants next month, an announcement awaited by both legal observers and the local community eager for justice and closure on this distressing episode. The sentences imposed will serve not just as punishment but potentially as a deterrent to similar crimes, underscoring the need for appropriate mental health and drug addiction support systems in the criminal justice framework.