Matters relating to Mervyn John Ferry, 42, and Paula Diane Morrison, 47, have been held over until November 14 for committal for trial.

Both defendants appeared before the court via an Audio Visual Link (AVL).

During the brief appearances, Ms Morrison was represented by solicitor Richard Bakos and Mr Ferry by solicitor Peter Ringbower.

Mr Ferry and Ms Morrison have been remanded in custody since their arrests in August 2010.

Mr Ferry, of White Street, Bathurst, and Ms Morrison, of Fish Parade, Gormans Hill, are both facing a string of charges related to a 26-year-old man they allegedly held captive for six months at Morrison’s home.

Police from Strike Force Bukari allege the first young man complained to police that he had been held under “psychological and physical control while being physically assaulted”.

The young man, who normally weighed 70 kilograms, had weighed only 40 kilograms when he alleged he’d been kidnapped, held captive against his will, starved of food and forced to sleep in a cubby house.

The same man alleged he’d been beaten with an iron bar, fists and feet while living at Fish Parade, Gormans Hill and paying for food and lodgings.

Police initially charged Mr Ferry and Ms Morrison with 14 and 13 charges respectively, including taking and detaining a person in company with intent to get an advantage, and occasioning actual bodily harm between February and August, 2010.

The pair also face counts of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and four counts of common assault.

Both Mr Ferry and Ms Morrison have also been charged in relation to a second man allegedly taken and detained between 10am on May 16, 2007 and 11am on September 25, 2009.

Mr Ferry and a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named or identified, have also been charged over allegations of conspiring and agreeing to murder one of the alleged victims who will be a witness.