Brothers and Mate Nabbed for Brutal Kidnap and Ransom Plot
Baljit Baghral, his brother David, and their accomplice Shanu Shanu launched a terrifying ambush on a man walking to his car after work on 10 November last year. The trio bundled their victim into a van, blindfolded and bound him, then drove to a shop in Coseley where they held a gun to his head and threatened violence.
Hours of Captivity End with £19,000 Ransom Drop
The victim was held captive for hours. The kidnappers forced one of his work colleagues to leave a £19,000 ransom bag at a bus stop. After the cash was handed over, the men dumped the victim in a stolen van on a Coseley street. Luckily, he escaped and called the police.
Technology and ‘Robbers Gang’ Chat Crack the Case
Police pieced the crime together using CCTV footage, ANPR, and mobile phone data. They uncovered a chilling group chat named ‘Robbers Gang’ on Baljit’s phone, created by David just two days before the attack.
Arrests at Airports and Home; Guilty Verdicts Delivered
- David Baghral, 28, was arrested at his Lanesfield home on 18 October.
- Baljit, 33, was nabbed at Birmingham Airport returning from Cyprus the same day.
- Shanu Shanu, 22, was caught at Heathrow in November trying to flee to the US.
All denied conspiracy to kidnap, blackmail, and possession of an imitation firearm intended to cause fear. But at wolverhampton-crown-court/" title="Wolverhampton Crown Court" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="914">Wolverhampton Crown Court last month, the brothers were found guilty.
On 10 July, both David and Baljit were sentenced to 16 years behind bars. Shanu, who had pleaded guilty earlier, received 13 years and four months.
