Jailed: Trio get over 16 years after kidnapping mum and her three children during broad daylight in Oswestry
Three men have been jailed for a total in excess of 16 years after admitting kidnapping a woman and her three children.
The woman and her children were forced into a vehicle outside Griffin Courtyard in Leg Street, Oswestry, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.
The vehicle was driven off before later being stopped by officers in Shrewsbury.
Mohammed Anser Khan, 31, of Whitehall Road, Tipton, Muserat Khan, 36, of Greets Green Road, West Bromwich, and Ateek Khan, 28, of Oak Road, West Bromwich, admitted conspiracy to kidnapping when they appeared at court yesterday.
Mohammed Khan was sentenced to six years, Muserat Khan five years and nine months, and Ateek Khan five-and-a-half years in jail.
Meanwhile, the charge of conspiracy to kidnapping was dropped against Zahoor Hussain, 39, of Whitehall Road, Tipton.
The victims, who have not been named for legal reasons, were not hurt during the kidnapping, which happened at about 4pm on March 4.
Mr John Oates, prosecuting, said the defendants had hired two cars to travel to the town to kidnap the victims, who had been travelling in a taxi.
"The victim had been in the taxi when it stopped and she got out. The two older children got out as well," he said.
"The defendants appeared and one of the windows to the taxi was smashed with a crowbar.
"She and the rest of the family were put in one of the cars which drove away."
Mr Oates said the woman had used a mobile phone while in the car to contact police, who stopped the vehicle on the A5 near Shrewsbury.
Members of the public had gathered while the incident was unfolding, including some who had tried to intervene.
All four men who appeared in court were also handed a restraining order, preventing them from contacting the victims. Solicitors representing the defendants said they were remorseful about the incident.
