A La Brea man was expected to appear in the Masters High Court in San Fernando on May 8 to answer to the charge of false imprisonment.

The 62-year-old tradesman is alleged to have committed the offence on April 21 against an 80-year-old La Brea man.

The victim told police he was at his home on March 26 when a man known to him visited him around 10.30 in the company of three women, only one of whom he knew. He told investigators one of the women sprayed something inside the house, which caused him to become temporarily paralysed. He said the group tied him to a chair before searching his home and leaving empty-handed. The victim said he was able to free himself about an hour later.