Mu's Parents In China example essay topic

A TEENAGER was abducted and threatened with sexual assault before a $94,000 ransom was demanded from her parents in China, a Sydney court was told today. The woman was one of two 19-year-old Chinese students kidnapped on Friday and held for three days until police rescued them in a raid on a city hotel yesterday. A young couple charged over the kidnapping were denied bail by Magistrate Clare Far nan in Central Local Court today. Australian citizen Edison Zhen Hu, 18, of Allambie in Sydney's north applied for bail but it was refused.

His girlfriend, 21-year-old Chinese citizen Shan Shan Xing, who is in Australia on a student visa, did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. They are charged with demanding money with menaces, with intention to steal, and detaining a person in company with intention to obtain money. Edison and Shan are accused of kidnapping the two women from their flat in Koga rah, in Sydney's south, and holding them for 65 hours in a city hotel room, while calls were made to one of the victim's parents in China demanding a ransom. A statement of facts tendered to the court alleged one of the victims was assaulted by Xing, suffering minor bruising and cuts to her legs and head. During five calls to China, the girl's life was threatened and she was also threatened with sexual assault if the ransom was not paid. When she was found on Sunday her hands were bound behind her back and her mouth was taped shut.

The statement of facts said Ting Mu, who was taken along with her unnamed flatmate, knew the couple accused of their abduction. "Mu and the two accused have engaged in previous financial dealings and have had a personal friendship for a number of months", the statement said. She and her flatmate were threatened with a number of calls being made to Ms Mu's parents in China, demanding $94,000 (480,000 Chinese Yuan) for her safe return. "Throughout these initial five calls to China, Mu's life was threatened and authorities in Australia and China commenced investigations in attempts to locate Mu", the police statement said. The women were taken to a city hotel while more threatening calls were made to Ms Mu's parents. They were kept there until 4.30 pm (AEST) yesterday, when heavily armed State Protection Group officers raided the room.

Defence counsel Jack Rigg argued Hu had no prior convictions and with strong community ties should be granted bail. He said parts of the prosecution case were "absolute nonsense", and at no stage did the victims cry for help and there was no mention of a weapon. "The facts sheet doesn't make sense", he said. "There is a distinctly suspicious smell about it". The matter was adjourned until June 3..