Nikolaos Vlanis, a 20-year-old apprentice electrician from Moorabbin, has pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and assault of his teenage ex-girlfriend after she broke up with him on social media. The shocking incident, which occurred in July last year, saw Vlanis terrorise the young woman, holding her captive and physically assaulting her at his home.

In addition to the charges related to his ex-girlfriend, Vlanis also pleaded guilty to attempting to extort $20,000 from his mate’s boss through violent threats.

On January 10, 2025, Vlanis appeared before the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court, where he was charged with one count of false imprisonment and one count of aggravated assault.

The court heard that Vlanis launched a campaign of terror against the boss of his friend in May 2024, making threatening phone calls to the unsuspecting pizza shop owner. The calls included disturbing threats such as “I’ll shoot you and f— your daughters.”

Police traced the calls to Vlanis using cell-tower locations and his home address. A search of his property revealed phones, laptops, a black imitation firearm, and a safe, leading to his arrest and that of his co-accused friend.

In another chilling account, Vlanis’s co-accused friend told undercover officers that the extortion attempt had started as a “prank,” but quickly escalated into a violent demand for money. Vlanis reportedly told the victim, “I’ll kill you and rape your daughters” if the $20,000 was not paid.

The victim of Vlanis’s violent assault was a 17-year-old girl who had ended their relationship over Snapchat. Vlanis, enraged by the breakup, coerced her into leaving her home under the threat of violence, before physically assaulting her. He held her hostage for more than 40 minutes, shaking and punching her, and forcing her to turn off her phone. The terrified teenager managed to lock herself in a bathroom while Vlanis stood outside the door holding a hammer.

After the victim managed to escape, Vlanis was reported to have said, “I have nothing, I’m probably going to jail now.”

In court, it was revealed that Vlanis had been attending therapy and had a letter of reference from his employer. Magistrate Jan Maclean described the offence as having “deeply concerning aspects” and acknowledged the traumatic experience the victim must have endured.

Vlanis was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid community work.

*With Herald Sun, Victoria Police