Press release - 3 October 2018 09:12

Gang jailed for total of 43 years for kidnapping in West End

Six men have been jailed for their part in the kidnapping of a 36-year-old businessman in West End in January 2017.

The six men appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Monday, 1 October where they pleaded guilty to kidnap and assault causing actual bodily harm.

They had previously been convicted of conspiracy to false imprison following a trial at Southampton Crown Court in October 2017.

Yesterday, they were sentenced for all the offences at Winchester Crown Court as follows:

Daniel Harkins, 38, from Eastleigh – nine years imprisonment

Jamie Kingston, 41, from Southampton – eight years imprisonment

Leroy King, 36, Southampton – seven years imprisonment

Peter Chamberlain, 50 – seven years imprisonment

Alan Boddy, 47, Essex – six years imprisonment

Rodney Traves, 48, Southampton – six years imprisonment

Detective Sergeant Steve Kelly from Hampshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime team, said: “Richard Baker was at his place of work at the Seddul Bahr Industrial Estate, Allington Lane when the six men entered and made demands.

“He was assaulted and threatened, then taken to an address in the Woolston area and on to a pub in Bitterne as the gang tried to gain information from him. Mr Baker was subjected to a violent ordeal; he was punched and had a screwdriver put up his nose.

“Having been taken back to the industrial estate, Mr Baker saw an opportunity to escape. He ran and hid under a nearby caravan before calling the police.

“We would like to thank Mr Baker for his courage throughout this process. He has been incredibly strong to stand up to Harkins and his gang; without this strength we may not have been able to secure these sentences.

"We are delighted that the gang that inflicted this ordeal on Mr Baker has been brought to justice.”

Topics

Crime

Regions

Hampshire