1 of 5 men accused in Orillia, Ont. kidnapping, torture granted bail, another denied release

One of five men accused of kidnapping and torturing a man – who was found beaten and bound inside an abandoned Orillia gas station – has been denied bail.

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One of five men accused of kidnapping and torturing a Mississauga man – who was found beaten and bound inside an abandoned Orillia gas station last month – has been denied bail a day after his co-accused was released.

Manraj Mann, 31, of Brampton had a special bail hearing Thursday morning in Barrie where he was ordered detained by Justice of the Peace Catherine Henderson despite loved ones pledging more than $200,000 to have him released from custody.

Mann’s co-accused, Baltej Sandhu, 30, also of Brampton, was granted bail Wednesday afternoon when Sandhu and four sureties put up $250,000 to secure his release from jail under strict conditions including a GPS ankle monitor, house arrest, and supervision by loved ones.

Their special bail hearings come a week after co-accused Surjit Bains, 63, was denied bail for his part in the alleged kidnapping and attempted murder of the man on September 27 in downtown Orillia.

Police were initially called to the corner of Peter and Colborne streets after receiving a report of suspicious activity that included a U-Haul van parked outside the abandoned building. Police confirmed all five accused were found inside with the bloodied victim, who was taken to hospital in serious condition.

Also charged with kidnapping and attempted murder is Dwayne Pennant, 41, whose scheduled bail hearing did not get underway Thursday.

According to court records obtained by CTV News, another co-accused, Gergy Anthony Gorburn, 51, of Toronto, has an extensive criminal record, including acts of violence and breaking and entering.

A publication ban has now been imposed preventing further evidence heard in court from being revealed along with the identify of the Mississauga man.

Bains, Mann, Pennant, and Gorburn remain in custody and each return separately to court by video from jail in Penetanguishene this month. Sandhu is scheduled to appear in an Orillia virtual courtroom early in the new year while out of custody.

The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.