Rich businessman snatched off golf course by gangsters in '£10m blackmail plot'

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Brocket Hall is the ancestral seat of colourful Old Etonian Lord Brocket
Brocket Hall is the ancestral seat of colourful Old Etonian Lord Brocket

A WEALTHY businessman was kidnapped by a masked gang while playing golf at his club in an alleged £10million blackmail plot.

His abductors drove across the course to the par four seventh hole where he was enjoying a round with three women.

The unnamed businessman was kidnapped from the tee of the seventh hole at Brocket Hall club qhiqqhidzhiqdkprw
The unnamed businessman was kidnapped from the tee of the seventh hole at Brocket Hall clubCredit: Paul Edwards

They sprayed the man, described as being of Chinese appearance and in his 30s, with a noxious substance before handcuffing and dumping him in the back of their Audi.

The gang roared off with the victim as stunned staff and members looked on at Brocket Hall club near Welywn Garden City, Herts.

He was beaten up but rescued by police the following day and a suspect was arrested.

From tongue scraping to saying no, here are 12 health trends to try in 2023From tongue scraping to saying no, here are 12 health trends to try in 2023

Officers believe it is linked to a blackmail plot in which a gang allegedly demanded £10million of cryptocurrency.

The attempted kidnap happened last month at the club, where members pay a £6,200 joining fee plus £4,000-a-year subs.

One source said: “It’s terrifying for something like this to happen — especially in a place where you should feel safe.”

Brocket Hall is the ancestral seat of colourful Old Etonian Lord Brocket.

In 1996, he was jailed for five years for a £4.5million insurance fraud.

He appeared on the third series of I’m A Celebrity in 2004.

The golf club was owned by­ Chinese billionaire Yu Songbo but went bust twice in five years. It was sold in 2020 to another Chinese-controlled company.

Tianfu Guo, 35, has been remanded in custody, charged with kidnap, blackmail and GBH with intent.

Brocket Hall is the ancestral seat of Lord Brocket who appeared on I'm a Celeb in 2004
Brocket Hall is the ancestral seat of Lord Brocket who appeared on I'm a Celeb in 2004Credit: Kent News and Pictures
Members pay a £6,200 joining fee plus £4,000-a-year subs
Members pay a £6,200 joining fee plus £4,000-a-year subsCredit: Paul Edwards
Brocket Hall Estate and Golf Club
Brocket Hall Estate and Golf ClubCredit: Andrew Styczynski

Mike Sullivan

Hertfordshire, The Sun Newspaper, Police, Exclusives, Crime, Courts

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