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Paul Wickerson festival death: Guards jailed over kidnap | Paul Wickerson festival death: Guards jailed over kidnap |
(34 minutes later) | |
Two security guards have been jailed for the kidnap of a music festival-goer who was run over and killed after they dumped him by the roadside in Essex. | |
Paul Wickerson, 32, was hit by several vehicles after being taken from the Brownstock Festival in August 2013. | Paul Wickerson, 32, was hit by several vehicles after being taken from the Brownstock Festival in August 2013. |
Gregory Maxwell, 32, of Romford, was given a three-year sentence and Brian Atkins, 49, of Ilford, three years and nine months at Chelmsford Crown Court. | Gregory Maxwell, 32, of Romford, was given a three-year sentence and Brian Atkins, 49, of Ilford, three years and nine months at Chelmsford Crown Court. |
The judge said there had been a "woeful failure" to protect Mr Wickerson. | The judge said there had been a "woeful failure" to protect Mr Wickerson. |
The geologist, from Sydney, Australia, had been at the festival near South Woodham Ferrers when he was handcuffed, bundled into a Land Rover by Maxwell and Atkins, and driven to a remote spot, the court heard. | The geologist, from Sydney, Australia, had been at the festival near South Woodham Ferrers when he was handcuffed, bundled into a Land Rover by Maxwell and Atkins, and driven to a remote spot, the court heard. |
'Four-mile trial' | 'Four-mile trial' |
The victim, who had taken cocaine, ketamine and LSD, was then released to see if he could make it back to the festival. | The victim, who had taken cocaine, ketamine and LSD, was then released to see if he could make it back to the festival. |
He died after being hit by several vehicles within minutes of being dumped. | He died after being hit by several vehicles within minutes of being dumped. |
During the trial one of the defendants was overheard describing Mr Wickerson's ordeal as a "four-mile bush tucker trial" - referring to challenges in the reality TV show "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here". | During the trial one of the defendants was overheard describing Mr Wickerson's ordeal as a "four-mile bush tucker trial" - referring to challenges in the reality TV show "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here". |
Judge Karen Walden-Smith told Maxwell and Atkins: "I don't sentence you for Paul Wickerson's death, but your breach of trust and woeful failure to protect those you had the responsibility to protect. | Judge Karen Walden-Smith told Maxwell and Atkins: "I don't sentence you for Paul Wickerson's death, but your breach of trust and woeful failure to protect those you had the responsibility to protect. |
"This is a truly tragic case. Your actions during an approximate half-hour period had the result that one much-loved and talented young man unnecessarily lost his life." | "This is a truly tragic case. Your actions during an approximate half-hour period had the result that one much-loved and talented young man unnecessarily lost his life." |
Atkins was given a longer sentence as the judge decided he had "greater culpability". | Atkins was given a longer sentence as the judge decided he had "greater culpability". |
"I'm satisfied you shackled him by the ankles, drove him to the place he was left and physically left him there," she said. | "I'm satisfied you shackled him by the ankles, drove him to the place he was left and physically left him there," she said. |
Atkins was given an additional six-month sentence on an unrelated charge of possessing a prohibited weapon, which he had admitted previously. | Atkins was given an additional six-month sentence on an unrelated charge of possessing a prohibited weapon, which he had admitted previously. |
A spokesman for Brownstock Festival said: "We are pleased that the case has reached a conclusion and that the offenders have been held to account. | |
"It has been frustrating for us to not be able to comment on the case until now and our deepest sympathies remain with the family of the victim." |
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