A former mayor of Waverley allegedly paid $12,000 to his nephew to organise the "serious torture" and murder of a male prostitute, a court has heard.

James Robert Markham, 73, is charged with soliciting the murder of male escort Paul Dunshea or an unknown person. He is also charged with recruiting a person for the purpose of criminal activity.

Mr Markham, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, was formally excused from appearing at his committal hearing at the Downing Centre Local Court today.

He is accused of ordering the hit which was recorded by Channel Nine's A Current Affair program, with reporter Ben Fordham posing as the hitman.

The court was played the recording during which Mr Markham tells Fordham he wants the escort to be strung up at an abattoir before being tortured, including being mauled by a dog, having a plasticine and glass suppository inserted and engaging him in a sex act with an animal to "humiliate" him.