FOUR men appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday accused of serious offences involving kidnap and violence.

Sukhjinder Pooney, 19, Avtar Singh, 27, Gurwinder Jutty, 20, and Asim Rana, 23, all from Gravesend, face charges of conspiracy to kidnap Baljinder Singh between October 26-29, falsely imprisoning him and causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Jeremy Carey was told that a fifth man, Anthony Rutledge, had been charged and would be before the court on Friday.

The court heard that Baljinder Singh was allegedly kidnapped in Gravesend and ransoms of £20,000 and £30,000 were demanded.

Pooney, Rana, Singh, all of Rochester Road, and Jutty, of Mitchell Avenue, appeared via a TV link from Elmley Prison, Sheppey, where they are being held in custody.

Pleas to the charges are expected to be entered on January 10 next year. Judge Carey ordered that the accused should be brought to court for the hearing.