Jail for extortion gang who showed 'no remorse'

David Chapman was jailed for 13 years for his involvement in the "calculated and deeply disturbing crimes"

A gang of seven criminals behind "violent and calculated attacks" involving kidnapping and blackmail have been jailed.

A court heard how they used fake online profiles to trick victims into believing they were meeting girls they had been speaking to, but instead they were ambushed, threatened, assaulted and forced to transfer thousands of pounds.

David Chapman, 43, Jonathan Stokes, 36 and Michelle Bailey, 40, all from Ramsey, were found guilty of a string of offences and jailed at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday.

Keileigh Spencer, 19, Tristian Vernon-Harriott, 20, Jesse Morgan-Smith, 18, also all from Ramsey, and a 16-year-old boy from St Neots admitted various offences and were also jailed.

Det Con Hannah Moore, said: "These were calculated and deeply disturbing crimes. The victims were subjected to terrifying ordeals, physical violence and psychological abuse, leaving lasting emotional and physical scars.

"The group showed no remorse, using fear and humiliation to extort money.

"Thanks to the bravery of the victims and work of our officers, we have been able to bring those responsible to justice."

Chapman, Stokes and Bailey (top row) were found guilty of a string of offences while Spencer, Vernon-Harriott and Morgan-Smith (bottom row) also admitted their roles in the case

Cambridgeshire Police said the offences were carried out against four men between August and September last year.

The men were lured to Ramsey on the pretext of meeting girls.

When the first victim, a man, 37, arrived in the town he was met by Spencer, 19, who was recording him.

Vernon-Harriott came out from some bushes and threatened to kill him if he did not hand over his phone and passcode.

Vernon-Harriott demanded £10,000, poured water over the victim's head, and forced him to drink from a puddle. Eventually, £25,100 was transferred.

The second victim, 25, was attacked with a hammer, kicked in the face, and forced to falsely confess to crimes on camera by Morgan-Smith and the 16-year-old boy.

He transferred £13,780 from his account and had his vehicle stolen after he was held overnight.

Machete

A third man, 45, was repeatedly punched by Morgan-Smith, forced to apply for a £10,000 loan and held overnight. More than £2,000 was transferred from his account.

In the final attack, a 23-year-old man suffered a broken nose and fractured cheekbone after being assaulted by Vernon-Harriott and Morgan-Smith.

A machete was held to his leg while banking details were demanded. He was driven home and his vehicle stolen. The £585 in his bank account was also taken.

Cambridgeshire Police used CCTV, banking records and mobile phone data to identify the suspects and link the incidents.

Following an eight-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court, the group were sentenced earlier this week.

• Chapman, of The Avenue, Ramsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail. He was sentenced to 13 years.

• Stokes, of Mallard Close, Ramsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail and acquiring criminal property. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was given eight years and six months.

• Bailey, of The Avenue, Ramsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, three counts of acquiring criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property. She was sentenced to seven years and three months.

• Spencer, of Queen Mary Close, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail, three counts of acquiring or possessing criminal property and four counts of concealing, transferring or removing criminal property. She was jailed for eight years and four months.

• Vernon-Harriott, of Queen Mary Close, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, two counts of acquiring or possessing criminal property, fraud by false representation and making or suppling an article to be used in fraud. He was jailed for 10 years and two months.

• Morgan-Smith, of Field Road, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, two counts of acquiring or possessing criminal property and being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs. He was jailed for eight years and two months.

• A 16-year-old boy from St Neots, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail. He was jailed for three years and four months.