Trio deny conspiracy to kidnap dad-of-five from his Preston home

Stephen Helm, 34, of Stockdale Crescent, Bamber Bridge, Aaron Hampson, 25, of Pump Street, Preston, and Luke Anderson, 24, of Samuel Street, Callon, Preston, deny kidnapping Abid Umar, 36, and are on trial at Sessions House Court.

Jordan Fowler, 21, of no fixed abode, has already pleaded guilty his role in the conspiracy.

Prosecuting, Richard English said police were called at 8.20pm on January 25 by a neighbour fearing he had been kidnapped.

He said: “ He was held for the next 15 hours before being released, and while he was held demands for money were made for his release, or else he would be harmed.

“ There is no dispute that Mr Umar was kidnapped. ”

“Abid Umar returned home to Malvern Avenue at 8pm having bought some food.

“He heard footsteps from behind him, he looked around and saw there were four men, all in dark clothing, approaching. He screamed and tried to run off but was punched and bundled into the back of a Lexus.

"His hands were tied and he was hit again. He was told he had to ‘get some dough’.

“Sometime after he had been abducted Mr Umar was taken to a field where he lost a shoe.

"The gang told Mr Umar to take off his trousers. “They demanded money and when he said he didn’t have any, they punched him and hit him with his belt; they also threatened him with an axe.

“During the night, Mr Umar’s brother was telephoned, £100,000 was demanded or they would cut Abid up.”

(proceeding)