Four jailed after kidnapping man for ransom near Clacton
The four have been sentenced to a combined total of almost 30 years
Last updated 20th Mar 2022
Four men have been jailed for almost 30 years after kidnapping a man near Clacton and holding him for ransom.
The victim was held in a Ford Transit van in Kirby Cross on August 25 last year and was forced to try to secure cash for his release.
The van was later chased by police and eventually hit a bush at the junction of Tendring Road and Whitehall Lane in Thorpe-le-Soken.
The victim got out safely and the four men were arrested.
All four admitted to the charges against them and were sentenced as follows:
- Billy Jackson, 30, of HMP Chelmsford - six years for kidnap
- Anthony Siequien, 35, of HMP Chelmsford - six years for kidnap, with a 12 month concurrent sentence for dangerous driving. He's also been banned from driving for six years.
- Mason Stewart, 19, of HMP Chelmsford - seven years for kidnap, with a 28 month concurrent sentence for drugs offences
- Jake Constable, 25, of HMP Chelmsford - nine years for kidnap, with three year concurrent sentence for drugs offences.
All four have been given a lifetime restraining order against the victim.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim and their family, where they were all in fear of serious harm.
“The greed of these men to get their hands on money was clear.
"This was premeditated and sadistic, and I’m pleased that our team were able to deliver justice for the victim and their family by ensuring these men will be prison for years to come.”