Wealthy businessman attacked and kidnapped at championship UK golf course
Trial hears how a man was attacked and kidnapped at Brocket Hall GC, and then kept in a cage by a gang demanding $15m in crypto.
A wealthy businessman was attacked and kidnapped while playing the championship golf course at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire and then thrown into a cage by a gang demanding $15m in cryptocurrency, a trial has heard.
According to a BBC report, the incident took place on 24 October 2023.
A man in his 30s, Dylan Huang, was said to have been playing golf with his PA and two other women.
Five men then rushed towards Mr Huang.
Investigators confirmed a gun was pointed at Mr Huang's head and he was then forced into a car just outside the golf club.
After kicking the car, Mr Huang was told by the gang he would be killed.
He was reportedly 'hit in the face and eyes and driven away in a black Audi Q7'.
The three women Mr Huang had been playing golf with were 'sprayed in their face with an unknown substance' and left at Brocket Hall GC.
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Mr Huang was then driven to a property in Surrey where he was held for 30 hours.
The trial heard how Mr Huang was blindfolded and that tape had been placed over his mouth.
He was thrown into a cage so that he was not able to stand up properly, the prosecution told the court.
Mr Huang was provided food by the gang, but he was prevented from going to the toilet.
Prosecutor Russell Pyne explained how the gang demanded Mr Huang paid them $15m in Bitcoin.
According to the BBC report, Mr Huang 'told them he had stocks and shares but they could not be accessed straight away'.
Mr Pyne said: "After several hours it seemed the kidnappers were getting angry. They started to hurt him - hitting his leg with some sort of object."
Mr Huang was eventually driven off in a car and released outside of Silvermere Golf Club in Surrey.
A man named Tianfu Guo, 35, is now on trial at St Albans Court.
But he denies being involved in any plot.
Mr Guo denied three charges of:
- conspiracy to kidnap on or before 24 October 2023
- conspiracy to blackmail on or before 25 October 2023
- possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on 24 October 2023
The trial heard how Mr Guo was arrested in Chinatown in London an hour before Mr Huang was released.
The jury was informed that six suspects involved in the attack were believed to be in China.
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According to the BBC report, "Mr Pyne said the defendant had been driving an Audi Q5 car that been tracked on an ANPR camera travelling in convoy with the Audi Q7, that had false registration plates, close to Brocket Hall.
"The next day the Q5, a hire car with genuine registration plate, had been tracked to an area just off the A3 south of Guildford.
"Prosecutors said police followed the car into London, where the defendant was arrested with more than £4,000 on him along with Chinese passports and identity cards belonging to others.
"There was a video camera in the driver’s door pocket and a small telescope."
The prosecution opening of the case is due to continue on 9 April 2024.
