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10/01/2007
Man jailed for British backpacker kidnap
A security guard has been jailed for 25 years in Ecuador for kidnapping and robbing a British backpacker.
Francisco Chica, 29, also known as Pancho de la Cruz, was found guilty of abducting 50-year-old Jennifer Pope who was travelling around South American.
The 50-year-old from Greater Manchester has not been seen since last January and she is feared dead.
The court heard how Chica stole Mrs Pope's cash card and stole $2,500 (£1,290) from her bank account.
He also stole belongings of hers, including presents given to Mrs Pope by her family before she left the UK on her six-month trip.
The items were found in cupboards and drawers at the home Chica shared with his wife, the court heard.
Mrs Pope had disappeared after sending her family an email from the hostel she was staying in, in the mountain town of Baros, where Chica worked as a security guard.
However, police were unable to charge Chica with Mrs Pope's murder, because her body has never been recovered.
Mrs Pope's husband David, 57, and son Stefan, 23, did not attend the hearing.
(KMcA/EF)
Francisco Chica, 29, also known as Pancho de la Cruz, was found guilty of abducting 50-year-old Jennifer Pope who was travelling around South American.
The 50-year-old from Greater Manchester has not been seen since last January and she is feared dead.
The court heard how Chica stole Mrs Pope's cash card and stole $2,500 (£1,290) from her bank account.
He also stole belongings of hers, including presents given to Mrs Pope by her family before she left the UK on her six-month trip.
The items were found in cupboards and drawers at the home Chica shared with his wife, the court heard.
Mrs Pope had disappeared after sending her family an email from the hostel she was staying in, in the mountain town of Baros, where Chica worked as a security guard.
However, police were unable to charge Chica with Mrs Pope's murder, because her body has never been recovered.
Mrs Pope's husband David, 57, and son Stefan, 23, did not attend the hearing.
(KMcA/EF)
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