JAILED: Black Country trio kidnapped mother and children in broad daylight

The victims had been travelling in a taxi when the defendants turned up and smashed a window with a crowbar.

A court heard how the woman and her three children were then bundled into a car.

The vehicle was driven off before later being stopped by officers after the woman managed to make a phone call to police.

Mohammed Anser Khan, aged 31, of Whitehall Road, Tipton; Muserat Khan, 36, of Greets Green Road, West Bromwich; and Ateek Khan, 28, of Oak Road, West Bromwich, admitted conspiracy to kidnapping when they appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

Mohammed Khan was sentenced to six years, Muserat Khan five years and nine months, and Ateek Khan five-and-a-half years in jail.

A charge of conspiracy to kidnapping was dropped against Zahoor Hussain, 39, of Whitehall Road, Tipton.

The victims, who have not been named for legal reasons, were not hurt during the kidnapping, which happened at about 4pm on March 4 in Oswestry.

Mr John Oates, prosecuting, said the defendants had hired two cars to travel to the town to kidnap the victims, who had been travelling in a taxi.

"The victim had been in the taxi when it stopped and she got out," he said.

"The two older children got out as well," he said.

"She was in the process of collapsing the baby seat. The defendants appeared and one of the windows to the taxi was smashed with a crowbar.

"She and the rest of the family were put in one of the cars which drove away."

Mr Oates told the court the woman had used a mobile phone while in the car to contact police, who later stopped the vehicle on the A5 near Shrewsbury.

The court also heard that members of the public had gathered while the incident was unfolding in Oswestry, including some who had tried to intervene and prevent the defendants leaving the town in the vehicles.

Judge Peter Barrie said: "She had tried to keep her whereabouts secret and came to Oswestry for refuge."

Judge Barrie said Mohammed and Muserat Khan were at the 'forefront' of the kidnapping.

All four got a restraining order, preventing them contacting the victims.