27 July 2012
Three men sentenced for Kidnap and GBH
Three men from Luton were given a total of 35 years
imprisonment yesterday (July 26) at Luton Crown Court.
Julian Hughes-John, aged 31, from Luxembourg Close, Luton and
Dean Raeside, aged 23, from Stephen’s Close, Luton had been charged
with Kidnap and Grievous Bodily Harm in connection with an incident
which happened in Luton on March 24th, 2011.
They were both found guilty on May 18th and have now been
sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for Kidnap, which they will have
to serve a minimum of six years, and a further 12 years to run
concurrently for Grievous Bodily Harm. Hughes-Johns was also
subject to an indeterminate public protection order.
Dean Wright, aged 27, from Rivergate House, Luton, had appeared
before Luton Crown Court on September 8th, 2011 and pleaded guilty
to Grievous Bodily Harm and was found guilty of Kidnap. He was
sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for the kidnap, which he will
have to serve a minimum of 5 ½ years, and a further 11 years to run
concurrently for Grievous Bodily Harm.
During the trials the jurors had heard how keen sighted police
officers had spotted a van parked in Selsey Road, Luton and when
the officers tried to speak to the van driver, Dean Wright, he
drove away.
The van stopped a short distance away and Hughes-John together
with Raeside ran away from the scene. On checking the inside of the
vehicle officers were shocked to find a 32 year old Luton man tied
up and telling them he had been kidnapped as he walked home along
Colin Road, close to the junction of Stockingstone Road, that
evening.
The victim had been subjected to an assault and was taken to
hospital for treatment to his injuries which included the removal
of a 6” drill bit from his ankle that had been used to torture him
during his ordeal.
The officer in charge of this investigation, Detective Constable
Tom Hamm, said: “This sentencing means that these people have been
removed from the streets of our town for a long period of time and
the people of Luton are safer because of that.
“The victim in this case has recovered well from his physical
injuries but this ordeal has left him psychologically traumatised.
I hope that today’s sentencing results will help him put what
happened behind him and helps him to get on with his life.
continued.....
He continued: “Our message to anyone who chooses to commit acts
of violence is that no matter how long it takes Bedfordshire Police
will leave no stone unturned to complete an investigation and bring
offenders before the courts where justice will take its
course.”
