Ambushed woman beaten up and held captive in 10 hour kidnap ordeal

Georgina Mansell was repeatedly rammed by a Subaru while frantically trying to escape in her Fiesta after being cornered by a three-strong gang in Harden Road, Leamore, Walsall during the early hours of Boxing Day.

After a near mile long chase, the car was finally forced to a halt in Coalpool Lane where she was dragged out as some of its windows were shattered with a crow bar, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

She was then repeatedly punched and slapped by Michael Wain, 31, and 28-year-old Anthony Gunter, explained Mr Rupert Jones, prosecuting.

Miss Mansell was bundled into another car and driven to a variety of addresses, including Willenhall market, before finally arriving at the Ellis Walk, Cannock home of Emma Griffin - previously in a relationship with her boyfriend Jamie Reid - and held until police arrived. Griffin had been collected en route by the gang.

"Miss Mansell was warned she would be killed if she called the police - and she believed that," continued Mr Jones. The officers had been alerted by Mr Reid.

He was with Miss Mansell when her car was forced to a standstill by the Subaru driven by 25-year-old Keith Griffiths after the couple were duped into driving into the trap by an invitation to a non existent party.

The attack was driven by revenge after a cannabis farm installed at her Bloxwich flat had been dismantled by Mr Reid who thought she was being taken advantage of, the court heard.

Mr Reid got out of the Fiesta to confront the occupants of the Subaru which crashed into the Fiesta spinning it around and injuring his leg in Harden Road. He urged Miss Mansell to flee and she drove off pursued by the other vehicle.

Griffiths rammed the Fiesta five times before it was finally forced to a standstill and Miss Mansell was kidnapped, suffering widespread cuts and bruises to her face, head and hands.

She confessed afterwards: "I didn't know whether I would be leaving that house dead or alive. I was unable to sleep afterwards and became vulnerable and withdrawn." Mr Jones concluded: "The motive was revenge and the hope of stealing a small amount of money."

Wain from Parker Street, Bloxwich, who had previous convictions involving 84 offences, admitted kidnap, assaulting Miss Mansell and false imprisonment, together with an unrelated driving matter and was jailed for a total of six years.

Griffiths, of Blakenhall Lane, Walsall, pleaded guilty to kidnap, assaulting Reid and dangerous driving as well as an unrelated burglary and received sentences totalling six years two months.

Gunter from Newhall Street, Walsall admitted kidnap and assaulting Miss Mansell and was locked up for four and a half years.

Judge Peter Barrie told them: "You inflicted a terrifying ordeal on the woman and her friend Mr Reid. You terrified her by the way you collided with her car, assaulted her and took her to an address where she was kept captive, frightened for her life."

Griffin, aged 30, who pleaded guilty to kidnap was remanded on bail for a psychiatric report until September 9.