Two young persons were tried for kidnapping for ransom using a firearm.
One of the accused was also charged with drug trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.
The victim, who was uncooperative at trial, had provided a detailed video-taped statement to police shortly after his release.
The court applied the principled approach to hearsay and admitted portions of the victim's statement for its truth, finding substantial corroborative evidence of the kidnapping, the use of firearms, and the first accused's identity as a perpetrator.
The first accused was found guilty of kidnapping, firearms offences, drug trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime.
The second accused was acquitted, as the fingerprint evidence and the victim's description were insufficient to prove his identity beyond a reasonable doubt.
