Middlesbrough kidnap gang who beat teen with weapons jailed
Three men who bundled a teenager into a van after beating him with weapons have been jailed. Cleveland Police said the boy was chased by the gang in a van as he rode his bike near the Greenway in Middlesbrough on 1 June 2024, before he was grabbed, beaten and dragged along the road.The Middlesbrough men, who were convicted of kidnap and wounding with intent, were jailed for between seven and 10 years at Teesside Crown Court on Monday.Det Sgt Leigh Moon of the force said: "These men brazenly pulled up in a van, wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons to chase after a teenage boy who was then subjected to a terrifying ordeal."
The court heard how the boy tried to run after being blocked in by the van.He was hit with weapons numerous times before he fell and was dragged into the van.
Jack Carlsson, 22, of Roworth Road, was found guilty of kidnap, wounding with intent and possessing a sword, following a five-day trial.He was jailed for 10 years.Shaun Thompson, 30, of no fixed address, was sentenced to seven years and six months for kidnap, wounding with intent and possessing a sword and machete.His brother, Lewis Thompson, 26, of Premier Road, was jailed for seven years and six months for the same offences.Two other members of the gang will be sentenced on Thursday - Jamie Lawrence, 21, of Orpington Road and Michael Townsend, 36, of Eston Road, in Lazenby who both pleaded guilty to kidnap, wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.
'Dragged along road'
Police said that the victim was heard screaming in fear when he was ordered to get into the van. His bike was thrown into the back of the vehicle and he was bundled inside with a knife and one trainer being left at the scene. A short time later, members of the public said the boy was thrown out of the van into the middle of the road on Ormesby Bank.He was then dragged along with his hands tied until he managed to break free.The gang then fled abandoning the van, police said.
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