Al-Ameer Omar Cheikho: Alleged Chipping Norton kidnapper conspirator has foot amputated

A man who was allegedly involved in a criminal syndicate and kidnap remains in hospital after having his foot amputated.

A man who was allegedly involved in a criminal syndicate and kidnapping will be hospitalised for a number of weeks after having his foot amputated in surgery, a court has heard.

Al-Ameer Omar Cheikho, 42, of Chipping Norton, was allegedly involved with a group who detained and held a 21-year-old man from Bankstown.

His matter appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Monday where the update on his health was provided.

Cheikho is charged with conspiracy to take or detain a person in company with intent to obtain advantage, take or detain a person with intent to hold to ransom, and deal with property proceeds of crime more than $100,000.

The alleged kidnapping took place in May, where court documents showed Cheikho and others allegedly held the 21-year-old hostage for three days, both to coerce him to commit a criminal offence and for ransom.

Cheikho allegedly was part of a group which held a 21-year-old hostage. Picture: Getty

Cheikho was issued with a court attendance notice earlier this month to appear at court today, where his foot amputation was revealed and explained his absence from court.

The Chipping Norton man was charged following an investigation by NSW Police’s Strike Force Bandis, established to investigate the activities of a syndicate suspected to be involved in various criminal activities. The investigation uncovered information relating to the alleged kidnapping.

Following extensive inquiries, officers executed four search warrants at homes at Georges Hall, Bexley, Kingsgrove and Chipping Norton on September 1.

Two men – aged 30 and 32 – were arrested during the operation and taken to Bankstown and Kogarah police stations, where they were subsequently charged.

Cheikho will return to court on October 18.