Four in court on kidnap charges

JOJO MOYES

Four people will appear in court today charged in connection with the three-day kidnap of a 27-year-old woman.

Late on Friday night, officers from the Organised Crime Group freed the woman, who had been held to ransom by an armed gang since Wednesday.

Large amounts of money, illegal drugs and firearms - including five handguns - were recovered.

The four accused, include a husband and wife, plus the husband's brother.

All are being held in custody and will appear at Horseferry Road magistrates court, in central London.

Barclay George Walters, 37, unemployed, from Harlesden, north-west London, is charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment, and three firearms offences, including possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Anurdoh Sharma, 31, also unemployed, and his brother Sanjeev Sharma, 27, both of Hounslow, west London, are charged with kidnap and false imprisonment.

Sanjeev Sharma's 25-year-old wife, Dipty Sharma, also of Hounslow, is also charged with false imprisonment.

A fifth suspect, a 23-year-old female student has been released on bail to return on 13 April, pending further inquiries. Two other suspects were released without charge.

The victim suffered several injuries and was treated in hospital under police guard.

She was discharged on Saturday and her condition was said to be "satisfactory", according to police.