Four charged after kidnap inquiry

Four Kent men have appeared before magistrates in Maidstone in connection with an alleged kidnapping.

Avtar Singh, 27, Gurwinder Jutty, 20, Asim Rana, 23, and Sukhjinder Pooney, 19, were arrested during a series of dawn raids in Gravesend on Friday.

Each has been charged with conspiracy to kidnap, causing grievous bodily harm and three counts of false imprisonment.

Police, who retrieved a gun during the raids, said the alleged victim was in his 20s and from Gravesend.

He was taken into protective custody after Friday's operation, which involved the National Crime Squad and other agencies.

Two other men who were being held in connection with the incident have been released without charge.