Mum’s $20,000 surety gets man bail

A MAN accused of being involved in a violent altercation over a luxury car has been granted bail.

Leum Kostopolous, 29, is facing six charges – including deprivation of liberty, acts intended to maim, extortion and robbery with violence – for a confrontation in Southport last year, in which a man was shot and allegedly ordered to hand over cash to get a black Mercedes concept car returned.

Kostopolous is not alleged to have shot the man.

He did not enter a plea to the charges when he applied for bail via videolink in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Louisa Pink granted him bail under a number of strict conditions, including that a $20,000 surety be provided. Kostopolous’ mother agreed to pay the surety.

The 29-year-old is also required to be fitted with an ankle monitor bracelet, must live in Warwick at all times and abide by a curfew, among other conditions.

Kostopolous is alleged to have been part of a group that confronted the victim, Theo Penemenos, in Southport on November 12, 2021.

In April, a court was told a luxury car had been stolen from Mr Penemenos days before and he was ordered to hand over money for its return.

It was alleged Mr Penemenos attended Kostopolous’ apartment in Surfers Paradise to get the car back and while there was shot in the leg.

The court was also told that, months beforehand, Kostopolous allegedly took part in a robbery in which a person was struck in the head and threatened with a gun.

He was also charged with breaching bail in October 2021 after allegedly failing to charge his ankle monitoring device.

On Wednesday, Kostopolous pleaded guilty to the breach of bail charge and was fined $300. A conviction was recorded. He will face the Southport District Court at a date to be advised.