FIVE 'gangsters' have been jailed after the dad of a kidnapped Blackburn man worked with police on an undercover sting.

And as the gang was sentenced to a total of 27 years, details emerged of the dramatic armed police rescue which freed 31-year-old Paul Gallagher junior, of Clyde Street, Blackburn, from a house in Liverpool in February this year.

Preston Crown Court had been told that Mr Gallagher was kidnapped over a £100,000 debt and held captive for two days.

The court heard he 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.

His father, Paul Gallagher senior, was contacted by men who demanded £100,000, although the amount was later reduced to £30,000.

But after the blackmail threat was reported to police, Mr Gallagher senior worked with officers on an undercover operation.

The court was told he spoke to the gang by telephone several times ahead of the dramatic police rescue.

Police said a significant number of officers, some armed, swooped on a Liverpool street and freed Mr Gallagher from a car in broad daylight.

The five Merseyside men, who police described as professional gangsters', pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail over what was described as an "organised and professional crime" by Judge Philip Sycamore.

They had also faced charges of conspiracy to kidnap.

However on the fifth day of a trial at Preston Crown Court, the jury was discharged on that count after they admitted blackmail.

A seventh man, Christopher Duff, 36, who police believe may have been involved, is still on the run and being hunted by police.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hunter added: "This dangerous gang of professional travelling criminals were prepared to go to any lengths and resort to extreme violence to achieve their aims.

"Their aggression, presence, and sheer physical size was a huge menace in itself and sufficient to force anyone to comply with their demands.

"This conviction is the culmination of 10 months of intensive investigation where in excess of 1,900 lines of inquiry have been followed up, including a large proportion outside the Constabulary area.

"Hundreds of witnesses have been interviewed in extremely difficult and challenging circumstances in what can, at times, be described as a hostile environment.

"We are now focusing our efforts on tracking down Christopher Duff. Together with our colleagues from Merseyside we will leave no stone unturned and never stop looking for him.

"My advice would be for him to hand himself in as he is only delaying the inevitable."

Sentencing the group Judge Sycamore said: "Paul Gallagher junior was taken by the four men to Liverpool.

"His partner brought it to the attention of the police and a massive operation began involving officers from Lancashire and Merseyside culminating in his release on Sunday, February 12 at about two o'clock in the afternoon by armed officers.

"In the course of these communications it became clear that only if the money was paid would Paul Gallagher junior be released unharmed.

"There is no doubt Paul Gallagher junior was in fear through the ordeal."

Stanley Quinn, 54, of Kensington, Barry Tierney, 40, of Fazackerley, and Arthur Sknderaj, 35, of Halewood, were jailed for seven years in prison and were branded the "main conspirators" in the case.

Wesley Sinnott, 27, of Huyton, was sentenced to three years and three months for his role, and Brian Burns, 32, of Anfield, to two years and nine months for allowing the plotters to use his flat.

Charges against a sixth man, Brian Starkey, 46, of Liverpool, were left to lie on file.