Man guilty of 'tiger' kidnapping

The two women were held captive in their flat in Strabane in 2006

A 22-year-old man has been found guilty of holding two women captive in a 'tiger' kidnapping in Strabane in 2006.

Joseph Patrick Barr from Bridge Street in the town was convicted of holding the women against their will.

He was also found guilty of kidnapping one of them and robbing the other of £83,910, from the post office where she was an employee.

Belfast Crown Court heard that forensic evidence connected Barr to the crimes. He will be sentenced next month.

The court heard that the women were taken captive in their flat in October 2006.

The following morning one of the women was forced to go to the post office where she worked and put the contents of the safe in a holdall.

Her flatmate was released after she took the money to a collection point.

The judge told the court that forensic evidence connected to Barr's shoes placed him in the women's flat at the time of the incident.

The term 'tiger kidnapping' stems from the way the criminals stalk their victim before striking.

Speaking after the verdict, Detective Inspector John Gilmore praised the bravery of the two women.

"These two victims gave evidence over a number of days in the trial which was very traumatic for them - as was their ordeal of being held at gunpoint by a gang of masked men.

"This is something which I'm sure will stay with them for the rest of their lives."

Although two of the three members of the robbery gang have not been caught, Detective Inspector Gilmore revealed there were no new lines of inquiry in the case.