No Ransom Paid For Kidnap Victim's Release

A large sum of money has been demanded from the family of a man who was kidnapped in Co Antrim - but not paid.

Several men entered the home of the victim - who is aged in his 30s - at an address in Randalstown. He was taken to another location where he was held for 24 hours while money was demanded from a family member, believed to have been his mother.

The gang of masked men armed with knives had bundled him into the boot of his silver BMW car at around 1am and then drove him to a petrol station around 30 minutes away.

Some time later the victim found himself in a garage or shed in an unknown location, where he was held for the 24 hours period.

His mother was telephoned by the kidnappers and demands for money were made. No money was handed over.

The man was later told to drive to Armoy, where he was released early on Friday morning.

The kidnappers fled the scene with the vehicle and the man walked to a house in the vicinity where he raised the alarm with the PSNI quickly cordoning off the area as they hunted the criminals.

Today, it has emerged that the police are investigating whether a burnt-out car discovered later at Manister Road in Armoy is linked to the incident.

The DUP Assembly Member for North Antrim, Mervyn Storey, has condemned those responsible.

"It is disgraceful that this man should have been seized by these criminals and taken away from his family in this fashion.

"All right-thinking people throughout the community are disgusted by the actions of the criminals responsible for this outrage. At this time the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the community goes out to the innocent victim and his family.

"I urge anyone who witnessed suspicious activity to come forward and share the information they have with the police.

"Those responsible for this incident should be brought before the courts and subjected to the full rigour of the law," said the MLA.

South Antrim SDLP MLA Thomas Burns described the incident as "alarming" and has joined the police in an appeal to anyone with information about this incident to "please pass it onto the police as soon as possible".

The Sinn Fein MLA for South Antrim, Mitchel McLaughlin has also condemned the kidnapping: "I send my best wishes to the victim and his family who have gone through what must have been a terrifying experiencing. Those behind this despicable criminal act must be apprehended and brought before the courts.

"I would call on anyone who noticed any unusual or suspicious activity either around the victim's home or in Armoy to come forward to the PSNI."

(BMcC/GK)