Three men jailed after kidnap and blackmail plot

The gang tried to abduct the victim into a van on Havelock Road in Luton in September 2023

Three men involved in a plot to kidnap, blackmail and intimidate a man into handing over a large amount of cash have been jailed.

Dominic Croucher, Jamie Williams and Paul Morrell tried to bundle the victim into a van in Luton on 3 September 2023.

The victim's fence and garden shed were also set on fire and he was intimidated on social media after he had come into "some money", police said.

The three men, who are from Swansea and Doncaster, all admitted conspiracy to kidnap and blackmail, and were sentenced at Luton Crown Court.

Croucher, 28, of Penderry Road, Swansea, was jailed for eight years and three months, while Williams, 40, and Morrell, 39, both of Kentmere Drive, Doncaster, were sentenced to 10 years and six months.

Dominic Croucher, Jamie Williams and Paul Morrell all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and to blackmail

The victim was walking in Havelock Road at about 19:40 BST on 3 September when he was assaulted and dragged to the ground, detectives said.

Williams tried to handcuff him and pulled him towards a white van.

The victim managed to escape and the van left, but the handcuffs were seized by police. DNA on the cuffs led back to Williams and Morrell, while detectives identified the van driver as Croucher.

Phone records revealed conversations between the defendants discussing the long journey, police said.

They planned what to say if they were stopped by police, and alluded to "life-changing money".

On 11 September, the victim received threatening messages on social media demanding money. These included evidence the men had been watching the victim and his family.

Later that week, it is believed Williams and Morrell turned up at the victim's address and set his fence and shed on fire.

'Wicked actions'

Det Con Daniel Matcham said: "This was an escalating series of events where the offenders attempted to kidnap the victim by using serious violence against him and, when that didn't work, they continued their vendetta by threatening him and setting his fence and garden shed on fire.

"Their intimidating and wicked actions left the victim in fear of not only his life, but the lives of his family too."