Kidnapper jailed over HK heiress’ harrowing ordeal
Print Edition
A MEMBER of a gang that kidnapped a Hong Kong heiress for a multi-million-dollar ransom was jailed for 12 years yesterday after what the judge described as a “terrible ordeal” for the victim.
Queenie Rosita Law, granddaughter of late textiles tycoon Law Ting-pong, who founded the Bossini clothing chain, was abducted from her house in Hong Kong in April last year.
The 29-year-old was held in a mountain cave before family members paid a ransom of HK$28 million (U$3.61 million) for her to be released three days later.
Zheng Xingwang, 30, the only suspect on trial in Hong Kong, pleaded guilty to one count of forcibly taking or detaining a person with intent to procure a ransom.
Eight other men have appeared in court on the Chinese mainland, where they have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentence.
“The offence of kidnapping is a wicked and heinous crime,” said judge Kevin Zervos at Hong Kong’s High Court.
Law and her boyfriend were asleep at her house in the quiet coastal area of Clearwater Bay when a gang of six men from the mainland raided the house, tied them up and put adhesive tape over their mouths, the court heard.
They stole about HK$3 million worth of jewelry and cash from two safes, after forcing Law to give them the combinations.
They then tied her to one of the gang members and she was carried to a hillside cave 90 minutes away. Her boyfriend was told to notify her father of the ransom demand.
Zheng provided logistical support and supplies, the court heard.
His lawyer argued that he played a different role from other members of the gang and was not involved in the robbery.
“I see no justification to distinguish his role from the others as he clearly came to Hong Kong with them with the sole purpose of carrying out this kidnapping,” Zervos said.
Zheng’s thumb prints were found on one of the envelopes carrying the ransom money.
Throughout the ordeal Law had feared for her life, though she was not physically harmed, Zervos said.
“When she was found by two police officers, she was trembling with fear,” Zervos added. “Queenie went through a harrowing experience.”
Zheng, from southwest China’s Guizhou Province and married with a 2-year-old daughter, remained expressionless as he heard his sentence through translators.
In a letter to the court Zheng said he felt “remorseful” and apologized to Law’s family.
He appeared in court in Hong Kong as he was caught in the city — the other members of the gang were arrested on the mainland.
Police in Hong Kong launched a massive operation to find the kidnappers, deploying hundreds of armed officers, helicopters and marine vessels, and setting up roadblocks.
Almost all the money has been recovered, including some buried near the cave where the victim was taken.
A tent was set up in the cave and Law was fed food from McDonald’s, rice boxes and bread, the court heard.
The judge described the case as one of premeditated kidnapping which had been “meticulously planned and executed.”
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