A MAN feared for his life when he was kidnapped in Blackburn, driven away and ordered to hand over money.

Preston Crown Court heard that victim Irfan Mohammed was beaten, put in a car boot, tied up and slashed. His near five-hour ordeal came to an end when people he knew handed over cash at a rendezvous.

Imran Vali, 21, of Newton Walk, Bolton, had pleaded guilty to kidnap, blackmail and handling and possessing cocaine, and was jailed for six years. A second man, Ty Flynn, 23, of Pixmore Avenue, Bolton, admitted kidnap and was jailed for three-and-a-half years, plus another nine months for breach of prison licence.

The offences, in June last year, arose after Vali received a stolen cheque for £7,000. Mr Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, said the defendant asked Mr Mohammed to pass the cheque through his account. He was told he would receive £2,000. The man later withdrew the money. When Vali was contacted he tried to persuade Mr Mohammed to give him the whole amount and repeated attempts did not work. The victim was later walking on Shearwater Drive, Blackburn, when three men, including Vali, kidnapped him. He was hit with a pool cue and had his head banged on a car bonnet. Later he was put into a boot and ended up blindfolded, with his legs and arms tied. He was driven to a house where Flynn was present. Mr Mohammed thought he was going to be killed after a knife was put to his throat, threatened and slashed on his shoulder and thumb.

Mr Robert Platts, for Vali, said his client was very remorseful. He had been approached by others who were never caught, and asked to have the cheque put through an account. He was promised half the sum on the cheque. Mr Mohammed was to receive around £1,500. Mr Platts said: "It became quite clear Irfan Mohammed was not going to honour his side of the bargain. He was not for handing over any of the money whatsoever and did not. The defendant was a major player in his kidnap and subsequent treatment. But there were times when he wanted to try and get out of the situation."

Mr Michael Hayton, for Flynn, said: "He knew nothing of the background until the victim was brought to a flat doorstep. He was given £150 for Mr Mohammed to be kept there."

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