Kong family friend trusted accused

Press, 29 February 1984, Page 9

Kong family friend trusted accused

PA Timaru A friend of the Kong family yesterday told the High Court at Timaru that the accused, Paul McFelin, would have been on his list of people to whom he would have entrusted ransom money to take from Oamaru to Christchurch to' comply with the demand of the kidnappers. The evidence came from Martin Joe, the first person spoken to by the kidnappers about arranging the payment of a ransom with Gloria Kong’s father. Mr Joe, who said he had known Mr Kong for more than 20 years, and McFelin for about 17 years, said he would have nominated McFelin because he was a good friend. " The evidence caijgf on the

seventh day of the trial of Paul Francis McFelin, aged 30, and Karen Mary McFelin, aged 23, charged with the kidnapping of Gloria Kong at Oamaru on June 29, 1983. Mr Joe, a market gardener, said that Paul McFelin had worked for him in earlier years and he thought their relationship was pretty close. He was deeply hurt that he “felt” McFelin was involved in the kidnapping. Mr Joe said that about 1 p.m. on June 30 he received a telephone call from a man referring to Mr Kong “wanting his goods back” and it would be arranged through him (Mr Joe). He did not know who the person was and he tojd the caller that he did nofsnow

what was going on, and would not be home later in the afternoon to accept another call. Mr Joe said he thought that a theft was involved with the reference to goods and did not take the call too seriously. However, he rang his brother, who told him of the kidnapping of Gloria Kong. Earlier in the day, evidence was given that a vehicle thought to belong to McFelin was seen parked near the flat where Miss Kong was held after her abduction. Mrs Alison June Winsley, who lives near the Ure Street flat, said she had seen a white Escort van, which she had seen McFelin driving previously, at the flat at some stage during the week of the kidnapping.