Builder tied to chair in kidnapping ransom

A building contractor was tied to a chair for 30 hours by kidnappers trying to extort £25,000 from his brother.

Three men bundled contractor Tony Pattison into a van and took him to an industrial estate where he was tied to a chair for more than 30 hours.

A gun was put to his chest and a phone held to his ear so he could inform his brother Jonathan of his plight.

The three kidnappers were caught when Jonathan called the police who launched an undercover operation, according to a report by the News Guardian.

Peter Morrison, 47, Colin Threadgill, 45, and Michael Collins, 47, were convicted of kidnapping and blackmail after a re-trial in the Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year.

Morrison, the gunman, was jailed for 10 and a half years and Collins and Threadgill were jailed for seven and a half years.

The three have also had more than £170,000 of criminal assets confiscated.

Morrison, of Cullercoats, had more than £90,000 in assets given to police at a proceeds of crime hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Threadgill, of Middlesbrough, was ordered to give up £57,000 and Collins, of Hartlepool, had £22,800 seized.

Jailing the men earlier this year, Judge Esmond Faulks said: “Kidnapping is a wicked offence, not just because of the fear instilled in the person kidnapped but also because of the fear and worry caused to those close to him.”