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03/06/2008
Court Remand For Kidnap Accused
Northern Ireland's latest occurrence of a so-called 'Tiger Kidnap' has now seen the appearance of a 39-year-old man in court.
Stephen Paul McStravick from Vianstown Park in Downpatrick was charged with kidnapping Emma Crane and her four-year-old son Matthew.
He is also accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting them, and Ms Krane's partner Johnathan Loughlin.
Mr McStravick is also accused of stealing £85,000. He denied all charges and was remanded until 30 June.
The case follows reports of the family of an employee at a cash-in-transit (CIT) company being held to ransom to force the worker to pay a form of ransom for his family's safe release.
A PSNI detective sergeant told Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday that most of the money stolen from Brinks Ireland has not been recovered.
He also said that detectives believed five people were involved in the kidnapping - said to be a Tiger Kidnapping on account of the way in which attackers carefully watch - or stalk - their 'prey' before striking.
The kidnapers took Emma Crane and her son from their Killough home and the held them at a vacant house in Belfast's Ravenhill area so as to force the handover of a substantial amount of money - probably initially destined to be delivered to customers of the Brinks organisation, which has its NI base in the Belfast Harbour Estate, near Fortwilliam.
See: Security Firm Targeted By Tiger Kidnapping
(BMcC)
Stephen Paul McStravick from Vianstown Park in Downpatrick was charged with kidnapping Emma Crane and her four-year-old son Matthew.
He is also accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting them, and Ms Krane's partner Johnathan Loughlin.
Mr McStravick is also accused of stealing £85,000. He denied all charges and was remanded until 30 June.
The case follows reports of the family of an employee at a cash-in-transit (CIT) company being held to ransom to force the worker to pay a form of ransom for his family's safe release.
A PSNI detective sergeant told Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday that most of the money stolen from Brinks Ireland has not been recovered.
He also said that detectives believed five people were involved in the kidnapping - said to be a Tiger Kidnapping on account of the way in which attackers carefully watch - or stalk - their 'prey' before striking.
The kidnapers took Emma Crane and her son from their Killough home and the held them at a vacant house in Belfast's Ravenhill area so as to force the handover of a substantial amount of money - probably initially destined to be delivered to customers of the Brinks organisation, which has its NI base in the Belfast Harbour Estate, near Fortwilliam.
See: Security Firm Targeted By Tiger Kidnapping
(BMcC)
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Tiger Kidnap: Man In Court
One of two people - a man and a woman - arrested at the weekend over the kidnapping and ransoming of a mother and her four-year-old child in Co Down last week is to appear in court today. The man (39) is charged with kidnapping and also with false imprisonment and robbery. A woman - also 39 - has been released without charge.
Tiger Kidnap: Man In Court
One of two people - a man and a woman - arrested at the weekend over the kidnapping and ransoming of a mother and her four-year-old child in Co Down last week is to appear in court today. The man (39) is charged with kidnapping and also with false imprisonment and robbery. A woman - also 39 - has been released without charge.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
