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Four men in connection with a kidnap case were today (December 19) sentenced at the Court of First Instance to 10 years and eight months to 21 years imprisonment.

On December 12 the four men aged between 26 and 29 were convicted of forcibly taking away a person with intent to procure a ransom for his liberation.

The court heard that the four men were arrested by police officers of the Crime Kowloon West Region in connection with a kidnap case which occurred at a public car park in Tsim Sha Tsui on September 4, 2002.

They then demanded HK$5 million from the victim's family.

Upon receiving the report, officers of the Crime Kowloon West Region took over the investigations and mounted an operation.

Between September 6 and 8, 2002, the officers raided the hideout places of the men and recovered part of the ransom amounting to HK$1.2 million.

The four arrested men who were later charged were found guilty on December 12.

The sentences were meted out today. The 28-year-old man was jailed for 21 years, the 29-year-old man for 10 years and eight months, the 26-year-old man for 11 years and eight months, and the 28-year-old man for 11 years and eight months.

Police Report No.4

Issued by PPRB

End/2100 hours, Friday, December 19, 2003 (PW)

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