Pair jailed for abducting and assaulting a man in Possil

Two thugs are behind bars after a kidnap victim was held hostage amid claims he owed £18,000.

Gary Roxburgh and a 26 year-old man - who cannot be named for legal reasons - abducted David Morrin from his home in Netherburn, South Lanarkshire.

His 24-hour ordeal last June saw him burned with searing hot knives and smacked with a gun.

The captors called his father David Snr and warned his son would die if cash was not stumped up.

The terrified victim pleaded: 'Dad, do this or they will kill me.'

But, David jnr was rescued when armed police swooped on a flat in Glasgow's Possil where he was being held.

Roxburgh has now been jailed for six years and his accomplice for three years and nine months at the High Court in Glasgow.

They had earlier pled guilty to assault and abduction.

The indictment stated Roxburgh (26) also extorted money from David Morrin snr.

Lord Mulholland said: 'The father must have been frantic with worry for the safety of his son.

'The son must have been fearful for his safety and the effect the conduct would have on his father.

'Such conduct is deplorable and has no place in this country.'

The court heard how David had met Roxburgh near the victim's family home.

Roxburgh was in a car driven by his co-accused.

David got in the motor and they all returned to his house.

The men - including David's friend Craig Johnstone - were in 'good spirits'.

But, in the early hours, Roxburgh's accomplice suddenly asked: 'Are we ready to leave?'

Roxburgh - wearing bright gardening gloves - then brandished what appeared to be a handgun.

His fellow thug was armed with a knife in each hand.

Roxburgh initially ordered both victims to bound their own feet and ankles together with ties and cord.

David was then told to tie his friend's hands with a shoe lace.

Prosecutor Maryam Labaki said: “Roxburgh removed Morrin jnr from the room.

'At that time, (the accomplice) stated to Johnstone: 'We've been told that you set us up'.

'He approached Johnstone and held one of the knives to Johnstone's neck.'

Roxburgh demanded from both victims: 'I want to know the truth.'

Miss Labaki: 'He turned on the gas cooker rings and laid the knives on top while making threats to burn their faces.'

Roxburgh then pressed one of the heated blades on the leg and arm of stricken David.

David was pulled from the house as he was smacked with the handle of the gun.

His friend Craig was left alone and the house being locked.

However, he freed himself and called his girlfriend for help.

David meantime was shoved into the boot of a car. Roxburgh's co-accused had left by this point.

The victim was eventually driven to a flat in Glasgow's Possil.

It was there Roxburgh ordered David to call his father.

He told his dad he was 'okay', but that he had been 'burnt'.

David snr then received further more sinister contact later that morning.

Miss Labaki: 'The call had been made from David Morrin junior's mobile phone.

'Morrin snr spoke to a male with a local accent who stated that his son owed him £18,000 and that they had taken him from his home address.

'The male said if they did not receive funds they would cause serious harm to Morrin jnr and that they would kill him.'

The panicked dad immediately called police. David snr received more calls from a number of men that day.

This was initially Roxburgh, but also included others 'apparently acting as brokers between the abductors and Morrin snr'.

Around 10pm, Roxburgh let David jnr talk with his father.

The desperate son stated: 'Dad, do this or they will kill me.'

Miss Labaki: 'Throughout the day, Morrin snr was supported by hostage negotiators from Police Scotland.

'This was in effort to establish the whereabouts of his son, ensure his safe return and identify those responsible for the abduction.'

David snr agreed to stump up £3450 believed to allow 'the safe release of his son'.

The 'handover' was to occur at services on the M74 in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

A man later met with David Snr, got in his car and took a cash-filled envelope.

This individual then returned to the Possil flat with the money.

Miss Labaki: 'Morrin snr received a call from Roxburgh in which he was thanked for his instalment.

'But, he was advised that his son would not be released until the balance was paid.'

The man who collected the cash left the flat with others in the early hours.

But, their car was halted by armed police as the hunt for David jnr was stepped up.

Firearms officers then stormed the flat where he was being held.at 2.25am on June 20

A 'disorientated' David jnr was discovered on a sofa with burn marks to his arms and legs.

He was taken to hospital and transferred to a specialist burns unit.

The victim later identified Roxburgh to police.

Armed officers swooped on his home in Glasgow's Milton days later.

The thug spotted them and leapt from a first floor window - but broke both heels.

He had £757 cash on him - some of the notes matched those handed over by David snr.

Roxburgh's friend was not held until late July.

He admitted being at the Morrin house, but insisted it was because he had been 'threatened by an un-named male' with a gun.

The court heard DNA also linked both thugs to the crime.

• High Court in Glasgow