A MAN was kidnapped from his home in Blackburn over a £100,000 debt and held captive in Liverpool for two days, a court was told.

A jury at Preston Crown Court was told that Paul Gallagher junior, 31, was subjected to violence and threats - including that his ears would be cut off with a machete.

A gun was also branded and Mr Gallagher was told to open his mouth, the court was told.

Six men from the Merseyside area have gone on trial and each deny conspiracy to kidnap Mr Gallagher earlier this year.

Tony Cross QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Gallagher was kidnapped from his house in Clyde Street, Blackburn.

He was taken to Liverpool and detained until his rescue by police officers on Sunday February 12, he said.

The prosecution say he had been held at an address in St Domingo Grove, occupied by one defendant and then transferred to another's flat in Fulwood Park.

Mr Cross said that previously a man with a Liverpudlian accent visited an address in Blackburn looking for Paul Gallagher.

The man said it was "life or death" and that he really needed to get in contact with him, the court heard.

Mr Cross said on February 10, three of the defendants and another man, who has not been found, travelled from Liverpool.

"Their purpose was either to secure money, some £100,000 allegedly owed or to kidnap Mr Gallagher until the money was paid.

"They took him to Liverpool. He was detained until rescued by the police on February 12.

"It is clear in this case that Paul Gallagher owed money to others. We do not say what was the cause of the debt."

He said the kidnap was reported to police by the partner of Mr Gallagher.

The men had told him they were there "to collect Stan's money", the court heard.

Mr Cross said: "It was plain to Paul Gallagher junior that the men meant business and resistance was futile."

Mr Cross said Paul Gallagher senior was known to the police.

He and his son had previous convictions for drug offences, the court heard.

Mr Gallagher senior had still gone to police because of the situation they were in, Mr Cross said. Once at a flat at St Domingo Grove, Mr Gallagher was ordered to contact his father.

There was mention of Stan and that seemed to provoke an angry response from defendant Arthur Sknderaj who produced a gun and told Mr Gallagher to open his mouth.

Mr Cross said: "Arthur Sknderaj also produced a machete and threatened to cut off his ears."

He added that a significant number of men were involved, seven at one point.

The defendants are: Wesley Sinnott, 27, of Pennard Avenue, Huyton; Arthur Sknderaj, 35, of Higher Road, Halewood; Brian Starkey, 46, of Fulwood Park, Liverpool; Brian Burns, 32, of St Domingo Grove, Anfield; Stanley Quinn, 54, of Mansell Road, Kensington, Liverpool, and Barry Tierney, 40, of Field Lane, Fazakerley, all deny conspiracy to kidnap.

Sknderaj also denies possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on February 10.

(Proceeding)