'$2m Huddersfield kidnap plot': six are charged

Jan 26 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SIX people have appeared in court in connection with an alleged $2m kidnap plot following a major police operation in Huddersfield.

SIX people have appeared in court in connection with an alleged $2m kidnap plot following a major police operation in Huddersfield.

The group of Chinese nationals – four men and two women – are all facing charges of conspiracy to kidnap another man of Chinese origin.

They are all also charged with blackmail over claims they issued a huge ransom demand for his release.

Ming Ming Zheng, 38; Ting Fu Guo, 26; Hang Yu, 20; Qun Xue, 25; Hong Zhu, 27; and Lizhu Guo, 35, are alleged to have taken part in a plot to abduct a student called Lishu Wu at some point between November 1 last year and January 19.

Mr Wu is thought to be a student who was living in London.

Huddersfield magistrates heard the allegation that they then made an “unwarranted demand for $2m (US) with menaces.”

Margaret Taylor, prosecuting, said: “Mr Wu remains in this country in a vulnerable position. There’s at least one other female person outstanding in this inquiry.”

Yesterday’s court hearing followed a series of arrests at addresses across Huddersfield last week.