Student faked his own kidnap to pay gambling debts
By dan martin
A student with massive gambling debts tried to pay them off by telling his parents he had been kidnapped and needed a £60,000 ransom.
But his mother in China contacted the country's authorities who got in touch with Leicestershire police who discovered his lies, a court heard.
Qing Jing Mao lost more than £70,000 after spending up to 10 hours a day in a casino while studying economics at the University of Leicester.
Kwok Wan, prosecuting, told Leicester Magistrates' Court: "He had been completely supported by his parents but unfortunately it appears he has become addicted to gambling.
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"With that in mind he hatched a plot to obtain money from his parents."
Mr Wan said that, on September 21, Mao, of Highfield Street, Leicester, told his mother in China that he was being kidnapped and said a ransom of £60,000 should be paid into his bank account.
He said that Mao then changed his mind, realising what he was doing was wrong, and told her not to go through with the transaction.
"Unfortunately he did not tell her that what he had said was false." Mr Wan said.
His panicking mother contacting the Chinese authorities which led to the investigation in Leicestershire. Mr Wan said: "While all this was going on Mr Mao was enjoying himself at the local casino.
"The police found him at home at 9pm."
Mr Wan said 14 hours of police time had been wasted and a detective chief inspector was put on the case.
He said: "Other operations would have been compromised by officers being pulled off them."
The 20-year-old admitted wasting police time by making a false report of a crime when he appeared in court on Thursday.
Jonathan Holt, defending, said: "My theme will be one of staggering stupidity.
"This should never have happened."
He said Mr Mao had completed the first year of his course with respectable marks and during the summer holiday had been taken to a casino by a friend.
He made £10,000 on his first trip to the casino – but then lost £80,000 in just a few months.
Mr Holt said: "Mr Mao realises he has thrown everything away. His entire future.
"He made an absolutely terrible decision that could only be made in such an unusual situation.
"It was the worst moment of his life when everything was crashing down around him.
"It was inevitable Mr Mao would be found out. Perhaps he realised that in the final phone call (to his mother).
"He said do not sent the money but he didn't say those vital words 'I am safe'."
Mr Holt said Mao was deeply ashamed and had been all but cut off by his parents who have pulled him out of his studies and are to take him home to China.
Magistrates gave Mao a community order barring him from going into any gambling institution in the UK for 12 months.
He was ordered to pay £85 costs.2作者: admin 时间: 2011-1-2 21:04