Abducted man found dead in churchyard

Mrs Keating was threatened with a handgun

The body of a man, abducted from his home by an armed gang, has been found in a churchyard in Leeds.

Brian Keating's body was found propped up against a wall in St Mark's churchyard in the Woodhouse area at 0600 BST on Wednesday.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire police said the 37-year-old had been taken from his home in the Monkhill Lane area of Pontefract at 2130 BST on Tuesday by a gang of masked men.

Mr Keating was attacked in front of his wife and two children.

One of them pointed what was believed to be a small handgun at Mrs Keating while a second suspect struck Mr Keating with a hammer

West Yorkshire spokeswoman

The spokeswoman said: "Mr Keating and his wife were at home with their two children.

"Mr Keating was watching television and his wife, Rachel, was on the phone when a car pulled up outside.

"Three masked men forced their way in through the front door.

"One of them pointed what was believed to be a small handgun at Mrs Keating while a second suspect struck Mr Keating with a hammer."

Mr Keating was then forced into the boot of a car which drove off.

Forensic experts

A post-mortem is being carried out and the cause of death has to be established.

The churchyard is being searched by police officers and forensics experts are carrying out a full examination.

A silver Ford Mondeo - believed to have been used in the abduction - was found in the Cross Green area of Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed Mr Keating was facing a trial next year for conspiring to murder another man in June 2000.

He was also charged with concealing the proceeds of drugs trafficking.