Court appearance for three Wainuiomata men in connection with alleged kidnapping

Three men are appearing in the Lower Hutt District Court this morning charged in connection with an alleged kidnapping of a 20 year old Wainuiomata man, during which time he was subjected to a prolonged and calculated assault.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell, officer in charge of the Lower Hutt CIB says a member of the public found the victim with injuries in a suburban street yesterday afternoon, after he had managed to escape from an address in Wainuiomata.

"Within an hour of Police being notified of the incident, one of the three alleged offenders was arrested in Wainuiomata and two further arrests followed soon after. This operation was a combined effort, involving both Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt staff."

The victim has been in Hutt Hospital overnight, being treated for lacerations to a large part of his body, along with what appear to be whip marks, burns and puncture wounds.

D/S/S/ Borrell says, "From our initial inquiries, it appears this incident is drug-related and Police aren't looking for anyone else in connection to it. The victim was taken against his will on Sunday night and kept confined, during which time he was subjected to a prolonged and calculated assault."

The three men aged 20, 21 and 27 face charges of kidnapping and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will be appearing in the Lower Hutt District Court this morning.

"This man is extremely lucky to have escaped from what appears to be a premeditated and deliberate attack on him. This should act as a serious reminder to anyone involved in drug-related offending, given the risk of underlying violence associated with such illegal activity."

Paul Borrell says, "Anyone concerned about drug-related offending in the Hutt Valley should phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Lower Hutt Police on (04) 560 2600."