UK & World News
The latest UK & World news stories from the Press Association.
Father reveals kidnap ordeal horror
00:05, Mar 21 2010
The father of kidnap victim Sahil Saeed has revealed the terrifying threats made by his son's captors and his fears that the little boy might be murdered.
Raja Saeed told the Mail on Sunday the heavily armed gang which took his son said they could put an explosive jacket on the five-year-old and "blow him to pieces".
During the days that Sahil was missing, Mr Saeed feared the boy might be killed and at one point was convinced the gang were watching him.
The nightmare began when Mr Saeed took his son on holiday to Jhelum in Pakistan. On their last night, March 4, four armed and masked men ambushed their taxi as they prepared to travel to the airport.
The gang had guns and grenades, and stripped the terrified group of valuables before snatching Sahil. Mr Saeed told the newspaper: "They said, 'We're going to take your son. We know you're a businessman and we know you have lots of money. My heart pounded. I pleaded with them, telling them I was not a rich man and had no money. I was completely helpless."
A man from the gang initially demanded £200,000 as a ransom, which was slowly negotiated down to £110,000.
Mr Saeed said he feared his son had been killed and when he demanded proof that his son was safe, the gang threatened to send him body parts, and as the days went by he faced repeated horrific threats against his son.
The kidnappers ordered him to fly back to Manchester and knew when he was at the airport. Mr Saeed said: "I wondered whether they were watching me. They seemed to know my every move. I was very upset leaving Pakistan knowing my son was with this gang but thought nothing of myself and only of his safety."
Greater Manchester Police sent him to a safe house when he returned to the UK. Mr Saeed then arranged for a "friend" in Paris to hand over the money, and was then told by the gang that his relatives in Pakistan would be in danger if he told police.
After the money exchange, it took the gang two days to free Sahil. Three people - two Pakistani men and a Romanian woman - were arrested in Spain accused of involvement in the kidnapping and appeared in court on Thursday.
Murdoch expected in wake of arrests 22:05, Feb 11 2012
Rupert Murdoch is expected to fly to London next week after reassuring staff he would not sell The Sun in the wake of a second wave of arrests at the newspaper. more
Man charged with stabbing murder 21:05, Feb 11 2012
A man has been charged with murder after another man was stabbed to death on, police said. more
Protesters show Syria solidarity 19:05, Feb 11 2012
Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in London in a show of solidarity with protesters across the Middle East and North Africa. more
Six bailed in corruption probe 19:05, Feb 11 2012
Six people arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption have been released on bail, Scotland Yard said. more
Sun man bailed in corruption probe 18:05, Feb 11 2012
A 52-year-old journalist from The Sun who was arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption has been released on bail, Scotland Yard said. more
Temperatures set to plummet again 17:05, Feb 11 2012
Temperatures struggled to rise above freezing across much of the UK after Britain endured its coldest night of the winter. more
Murdoch 'commitment' after arrests 17:05, Feb 11 2012
Rupert Murdoch has reassured staff of his "total commitment" to continue to own and publish The Sun after five members of staff were arrested. more
Police seize spoof poster fanzine 16:05, Feb 11 2012
Thousands of copies of a Manchester United fanzine, which featured a "potentially offensive image", were seized by police before the club's match against Liverpool. more
Sun employees held in hacking probe 16:05, Feb 11 2012
Five employees of The Sun, a serving Surrey Police officer, a serving member of the armed forces and a Ministry of Defence employee have been arrested over allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials. more
Police appeal over linked robberies 15:05, Feb 11 2012
A series of robberies on two teenage girls, a woman and an elderly man are being linked by detectives. more
The latest UK & World news stories from the Press Association.
