Four kidnappers were jailed today for up to 21 years by the Court of First Instance.

Aged between 26 and 29, the four men were convicted of forcibly taking away a person with intent to procure a ransom for his liberation on December 12.

The court heard the four took part in a kidnap case in a public carpark in Tsim Sha Tsui on September 4 last year. They demanded $5 million from the victim's family.

Between September 6 and 8, 2002, Police raided their hideout places and recovered part of the ransom amounting to $1.2 million.

The 28-year-old man was jailed for 21 years, the 29-year-old for 10 years and eight months, the 26-year-old for 11 years and eight months, and another 28-year-old also for 11 years and eight months.