Australian jailed for UK backpacker's kidnap and rape ordeal Published duration 28 May 2019

image copyright Seven Network Australia image caption Elisha Greer was held for a month by Marcus Allyn Keith Martin

An Australian man who raped a British backpacker during a month-long kidnapping ordeal in outback Queensland has been jailed for 10 years.

Marcus Allyn Keith Martin, 25, had pleaded guilty to charges of rape and deprivation of liberty.

He held Elisha Greer, then 22, hostage during a 1,600km (1,000 mile) road trip in 2017 - during which she was beaten and had a gun held to her head.

Ms Greer, from Liverpool, was rescued after police pulled over their 4x4.

Judge Dean Morzone told the Cairns District Court on Tuesday that Martin would be required to serve at least 80% of his sentence, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Rescue after fuel stop

The court heard the pair had begun a brief relationship after meeting at a party in January 2017, but Martin soon turned violent.

After embarking on a road trip, Martin held Ms Greer against her will and beat and raped her repeatedly.

image copyright ABC image caption The woman was rescued after police pulled over a 4x4

The ordeal ended four weeks later in the town of Mitchell, after a service station owner called police.

The owner had witnessed Ms Greer driving off without paying for fuel. Police stopped the 4x4 a short time later and found Martin hiding in the back.

Ms Greer's injuries included facial fractures, bruising, abrasions to her neck and cuts to her body, as well as psychological harm.

Prosecutor Nathan Crane said that Martin had tried to "isolate" his victim on the road trip, including by cutting up her UK passport.

"She feared she would be murdered," Mr Crane told the court, according to the ABC report.

"She tried to get the attention of other road users as they would drive along and also other service station customers, to no avail."