AN UNEMPLOYED Eltham man is facing kidnap charges along with three Essex police officers and two businessmen.

Noel Gainey, 35, of Westmount Road, has been accused of conspiring to imprison Ashley Sansom, and detain him against his will some time between February 1 and April 7 this year.

He appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court on Tuesday November 14 with his accomplices.

They are Detective Constable Paul Goscomb, 37, of Ilford Police Station; Det Con Declan Costello, 33, and Det Con Martin Morgan both of Barkingside Police Station; Hertfordshire property developer Greville Penfold, 52 and businessman Robert Kean, 52, from Norwich.

Mr Gainey is also accused, along with Mr Penfold and Mr Kean, of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Sansom on April 7 this year.

The committal hearing was adjourned until January 5.

All six defendants were granted conditional bail.