Kidnappers snatched man off the street but didn't bank on a woman passing by
A 'targeted attack' saw Sanwar Fiaz snatched from the street, but he was saved by a quick-thinking bystander
Three men have been jailed for a "targeted" kidnapping which was foiled after a member of the public was alerted to their plot.
Hassan Khan, 25, Mohammed Kateb, 24, and Wahaab Mushtaq, 23, snatched Safwan Fiaz from the street in Rochdale on April 24 2024
Khan grabbed the victim in a "bear hug", before Mr Fiaz was bundled into a waiting car.
But the trio didn't count on Mr Fiaz shouting for help to a member of the public who happened to be passing by, urging her to call the police as he was abducted.
After securing Mr Fiaz in the SUV-type care, the group drove off.
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For a few agonising minutes after what was described as a "targeted attack" Fiaz was driven around in the car. Manchester Crown Court heard during this time he was punched, and the group "made threats that they were going to strip him naked."
But the court was told how Mr Fiaz's cry for help played on the minds of the three kidnappers, who lost their nerve.
Judge Alan Conrad KC said: "They discussed whether she was going to call the police. They drove to a dead end and Mr Khan told him to get out."
Initially Mr Fiaz had thought things were about to get worse, but got out of the car after being punched.
By the end of his ordeal the victim had a "black eye, cuts, and swelling", and "couldn't control the eye or see out of it for some time", Judge Conrad KC said.
Summing up the case, Judge Conrad KC said he wished to "commend the actions" of the bystander, who the Manchester Evening News has chosen not to name. He also ordered that she be paid a £350 for her role in bringing the trio of kidnappers to justice.
The court heard that Mr Fiaz had been targeted as his kidnappers believed that he was responsible for informing on a mutual acquaintance in connection to an allegation of affray.
Describing the events, Judge Conrad KC said: "Mr Fiaz felt unsafe about leaving the house. He made the decision to go to the shop. While he was walking along the road he saw a white SUV. He saw the doors open and saw Hassan Khan.
"When he saw the car Mr Fiaz ran off but it was able to get in front of him."
He added: "This was a joint venture in which all were equally involved.
"It was short-lived but nonetheless very serious. No defendant has shown any remorse, all continue to deny their guilt."
Khan was represented by Thomas Sharrington, Kateb by James Onalaja, and Mushtaq by Helena Williams. Adam Lodge acted for the Crown Prosecution Service.
The defendants were found guilty of kidnapping following a trial, and all continued to deny the offences even after being convicted.
Appearing via video link from custody, Khan, of Marland Hill Road, Rochdale, Kateb, of New Barn Road, Rochdale, and Mushtaq, of Fir Street, Nelson, were all jailed for four years.