Kidnap plotter appeals deportation

An Upper Hutt man convicted of plotting to kidnap a Wellington millionaire is appealing in the High Court at Wellington against an order to deport him.

In March, the Deportation Review Tribunal ordered British-born Simon Phillpott, 37, to leave New Zealand within six months.

He had been sentenced to 2- 1/2 years' jail in 2003 after admitting conspiring to kidnap businessman Bill Trotter and to hold him for ransom in an underground bunker.

Phillpott had been granted residency following his marriage to a New Zealander in 1998.

- NZPA