Man 'taken 170-miles at gunpoint'

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A man was kidnapped at gunpoint and driven 170 miles over an alleged debt, a court has heard.

A jury at Lincoln Crown Court heard John O'Malley, 31, from Lincoln was bundled into a car and driven from the city to Croydon, south London.

Anthony Saunders, 44, of Davies Close, Woodside and William Saunders, 23, of Effingham Road, Croydon deny kidnap.

Julia Palmer, 36, of Tudor Court, Russell Hill, Purley earlier admitted the offence.

Wallet searched

The jury heard Mr O'Malley was repairing a neighbour's car on Tower Crescent when the female driver of another vehicle pulled up and insisted he check out her car.

As soon as he got into the vehicle, a man produced a silver handgun and told him to drive.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said Mr O'Malley drove a short distance and was then told to stop.

He said the kidnappers asked his name, searched his wallet when he gave them false details and then demanded more than £20,000, the court heard.

Pub arrest

Mr Lowne said they then drove him at gunpoint to the Holiday Inn in Croydon.

The court heard Mr O'Malley and the three occupants of the car booked into the hotel but two of the kidnappers later left to visit a pub, where they were arrested.

The remaining member of the group, Anthony Saunders then took Mr O'Malley to South Norwood police station, where the other two were being held and was also arrested.

Mr Lowne said the background to the kidnapping was a debt that was allegedly owed by Mr O'Malley to a man in Southern Ireland.

The trial continues.