Man strapped to ‘bomb’
A MAN who was bound, gagged and dumped in a car with canisters strapped to his body had been kidnapped, say police.
The discovery early yesterday sparked a major bomb alert close to Birmingham city centre after “beer-can-sized” objects were seen strapped around his abdomen as he lay in a small, two-door car left on an industrial estate.
Last night, detectives said the Asian man, in his 30s, had been forced into the car and told it contained a bomb. Fire crews, an Army bomb-disposal team and negotiators were also called after a passing driver alerted police.
Chief Superintendent Tom Coughlan said the man had been removed and was in hospital with a suspected broken leg.
He said investigations would be carried out on the half-a- dozen gas canisters to find out if they contained explosives.