Three Britons accused of kidnap plot in New Zealand

Police in New Zealand today said they had arrested three Britons and foiled a plot to kidnap a prominent businessman and hold him for ransom in an underground bunker.

The plot was uncovered after hikers reported seeing the bunker in a forested area outside Wellington. A two-week investigation determined the three suspects were planning to hide their intended victim there, police said.

The three men, armed with a shotgun, were arrested last night in central Wellington’s Botanic Gardens, near the city’s most affluent suburbs.

Police have not released the names of the suspects or their intended victim.

Two of the three men, a 21-year-old unemployed man and a 34-year-old builder, appeared in court and were charged with attempting to kidnap and commit a crime while armed, conspiring to kidnap, intending to confine and to obtain a ransom. The kidnapping charges carry a maximum of 14 years in jail.

The two men did not plead to the charges and were ordered to return to court on July 29. They are currently being held in custody.

The third man, a lawyer, 52, was hospitalised after he was mauled by a police dog during the arrest. He also faces the same charges.

The bunker was concealed by earth and foliage, and measured 6ft long, 1 yard high and little more than a yard wide, police said.

‘‘The degree of planning and preparation used in building and concealing the bunker suggested (the) kidnapping was well planned,’’ Detective Inspector Norm Cook said.

He said local police contacted authorities in Australia, Britain and the US during the investigation.

The victim, who was only told of the alleged plot hours before the men were arrested, was in a mild state of shock following the news, DI Cook added.