Gang jailed for kidnapping wealthy businessman

A gang which kidnapped a wealthy businessman and demanded a £1.5m ransom have been jailed.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was snatched from outside his factory on the Troon Industrial Estate in Leicester, as he left after a day's work.

He was driven to Birmingham and his family in Leicester were told, incorrectly, that he owed the gang £1.5m and that they would kill him if they did not pay up.

During his three-day ordeal – which began on February 5 last year – the victim was beaten, tied up with wire, stripped naked and threatened with a gun and a hot iron.

At Leicester Crown Court, sentences of between three and 12 years were handed down by Judge Simon Hammond, who described them as a "highly-professional team".

He said: "There was no doubt he was targeted as it was thought he was a man of considerable wealth."

One of the nine gang members, Ranjit Singh Rana (31), of Highway Road, Evington, Leicester, made calls to the man's family and they agreed to pay £1m.

The victim was released and went for help, but the family had been working with the police and the payment was never made.

The men pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to falsely imprison and conspiracy to blackmail.

Mahan Manu, representing Rana, said his client tried to become a witness for the prosecution, putting himself at risk while in prison. The judge reduced his sentence by one year – to 11 years – for the offer.

The "principal organiser", Adam Smith (30), of Stechford, Birmingham, and another kidnapper, Philip O'Brien (23), of Solihull, were each given 12 years. Five other defendants were also sentenced.

Carl Stephens (28), of Sheldon, Birmingham, and Gary Stowe (22), of Stechford, , were each given 10 years.

Hughie McIntaggart (25), of Birmingham, was given nine years, Simon Collins (23), of Birmingham, was given eight years, and Paul William Slough (23), of Sheldon, was given three years. Anthony Kerslake (25), of Birmingham, was not sentenced because his lawyer was not present for the hearing.