Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kidnapper who took pounds 40,000 is jailed

Friday 14 January 1994 20:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A FINANCIAL adviser who kidnapped a bank manager's wife and demanded pounds 40,000 ransom money was jailed for 14 years yesterday.

Tony Bosson-Williams, 28, kept Elizabeth Kerr bound and gagged in the boot of a car for more than four hours, Chester Crown Court was told.

Bosson-Williams admitted kidnapping Mrs Kerr, 38, in August 1992, robbing her husband David of pounds 40,000, and demanding pounds 75,000 from another bank manager.

David Hale, for the prosecution, said Bosson-Williams called at the Kerrs' home in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, dressed as a policeman. He told Mrs Kerr her husband had been in an accident and drove her away saying he would take her to the hospital.

He later stopped the car, hit her in the face, tied her hands behind her and blindfolded her with a cloth before bundling her in the car boot. He took a Polaroid photograph of her, gagged her and put a bag over her head.

Later that day Bosson-Williams telephoned Mr Kerr, 38, at Barclays Bank in Sale, giving instructions for handing over the ransom.

Mr Kerr drove with the money towards the M63 and was flashed by Bosson-Williams's car, with Mrs Kerr in the boot. Bosson-Williams, of Whitchurch, Shropshire, took the money and abandoned Mrs Kerr in a ditch. She freed her feet and struggled to a house.

Mr Hale said Bosson-Wil liams had earlier tried and failed to kidnap the wife of Geraint Pritchard-Jones, manager of the National Westminster in Solihull, West Midlands.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in