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NZ man in 16-hour torture ordeal
(CNN) -- Four men involved in an alleged 16-hour torture of a New Zealand man on working vacation in Australia have appeared in a Queensland court Monday. Police say the man's ordeal began on Friday night after he befriended five men in the east coast city of Brisbane in Queensland state. The 19-year-old man accompanied men to an abandoned warehouse where he was believed to have been tied up, tortured and sexually assaulted for 16 hours. Police have so far arrested four men and charged them with numerous crimes related to the ordeal -- including attempted murder -- while a fifth suspect is still being sought. One man has so far appeared before the Brisbane Magistrate's Court where he was refused an application for bail and remanded in custody for a further court appearance in September. Police told media the backpacker had sustained a fractured cheekbone, nose and a finger and had been sexually assaulted. The man was blindfolded and his legs and feet burned with a flame. Many of the other injuries were inflicted with home-made weapons. 'Naive'The New Zealander, who has not been named, was believed to have been tortured in a bid to reveal his personal identity number (PIN) so his bank cards could be used to withdraw money from automatic teller machines. The man eventually yielded the information, an act which probably saved his life, police said. He was found, still surrounded by three of his attackers, after a tip-off from the public. The men took advantage of an "easy going bloke," Brisbane detective inspector Ben Hanbidge told the New Zealand Herald newspaper. "He probably struck them as a bit naive." He is now recovering in Royal Brisbane Hospital. The man is believed to be in improving spirits after his ordeal and wishes to continue his travels around Australia. Police say they have received many offers of accommodation and assistance for the man.
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