THE men who allegedly kidnapped Dr Murrie Mosodeen last week were yesterday denied bail, even as they claimed they were victims of police brutality while in custody at the Mon Repos Police Station.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington, presiding in the San Fernando First Magistrate's Court, denied bail to Ravi Lall, Richard McIntosh and Neil St Louis, all of Erin in south Trinidad.

The magistrate said bail was not possible "for a matter of this nature", adding he was looking at reality and the "prevalence of this type of crime" as he gave his reason for not granting bail to the three accused.

The men were charged with abducting Mosodeen and robbing her of a Toyota Corolla motorcar, valued at $150,000, eight days ago at Scotland Drive, Cocoyea.

The three lawyers alleged that their clients were assaulted while in custody.

Lall, 21, was not present during the court proceedings and his lawyer, Michelle Rampaul, was told by police prosecutor Sergeant Kazim Ali that Lall was seeking medical attention.

Attorneys Ramesh Deena and El Farouk Hosein also spoke of their clients, McIntosh, 25 and St Louis, 22, being assaulted.

Deena said McIntosh sustained two cuts on his head and was struck on his left shoulder and the right side of his face. The alleged beating occurred last Tuesday after the men were held, she added.

The lawyers asked that the statements given by the accused while in custody be handed over. This request was noted by the court.

The men are scheduled to reappear in court on April 30.

Mosodeen was grabbed in front of her apartment and the men left her tied in an abandoned house 14 miles into the Penal Rock Road, near a teak plantation.

It was said that Mosodeen untied herself and walked to a nearby house, while police intercepted the stolen car and arrested the men.