A disgruntled boss who kidnapped and tied up an employee while his friend kept watch outside has been jailed.
The unnamed victim was held captive for around two hours at employer John Bailey’s house while accomplice Jaq Martin made sure nobody came inside on March 11 this year.
Durham Crown Court heard the man was employed by Amber Rose Developments, part-owned by Bailey, and was working as a labourer in order to pay off a debt he owed.
However, Prosecutor Debbie Smithies told the court that Bailey had claimed the complainant had been dishonest after taking money from the business and customers.
She said that ‘whatever the background’, Bailey and Martin were in contact with eachother about locating the complainant.
The victim was enticed out of his flat by Martin and Bailey approached him from behind and told him to go with him in his car which he did ‘reluctantly.’
He was then told to sit in the back seat while Bailey drove to a DIY store and Bailey drove to a DIY store where Martin bought cable ties and clippers.
The car was then driven by Martin, who was banned from driving at the time, to Bailey’s home address, where the victim was taken inside.
Once in the house the cable ties were attached while Martin stood outside with another man.
Miss Smithies said on Bailey’s own account the victim was not permitted to leave the house and the purpose was to discuss ‘issues of dishonesty’ at work.
Bailey was said to have made a series of calls to associates seeking their views as to what should be done with the captive.
He was also shown a firearm Bailey had recently bought, with the weapon and ammunition still in the box.
Following the ordeal he was eventually taken back to Bailey’s car and driven to his flat before he was taken to the address of another man after Martin had been dropped off at his girlfriend’s home.
On the way back, Bailey stopped at a shop to buy his victim a new mobile phone.
Miss Smithies said it was about a week later that the victim contacted police to report what happened.
Both defendants were arrested and the firearm, still in its box, was recovered by police from Bailey’s home.
Upon being tested it was found to be a prohibited weapon, but it was accepted that Bailey was unlikely to have known that.
Although Bailey, Martin and another co-accused were initially arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap, charges were not pursued against the third man.
Both men pleaded guilty to false imprisonment.
Bailey, of Chapel Terrace, Station Town, County Durham, also admitted possessing a prohibited firearm and Martin, of Fair View, West Rainton, admitted driving whilst disqualified.
Judge James Adkin sentenced 39-year-old Bailey to 26 months behind bars while Martin, 24, was jailed for 19 months.
The judge said there was a measure of planning behind the offences and there was some ‘intimidation’ of the complainant.
He said there was ‘a measure of professional criminality’ involved, while the victim would have felt a level of ‘fear, intimidation and discomfort.’
Chris Knox, for Bailey, said that his client was unaware the firearm was prohibited at the time and the weapon was only ‘shown’ to the complainant and its presence was ‘remarked upon.’
He said his client’s ability to use any force was impaired at the time due to ruptures to both bicep muscles and he had one arm in a sling.
Mr Knox also questioned the factual accuracy of the victim’s account of the incident and its background, adding: ‘It was about a commercial dispute that ended perfectly amicably.’
Penny Hall, for Martin, said: ‘He appreciates he should have stayed out of this and should not have got involved in someone else’s business matters.’
The judge also made both Bailey and Martin subject to indefinite restraining orders forbidding them from contacting or approaching the victim.
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