A YOUNG man was branded on the face with a red hot iron during a violent kidnap ordeal, Liverpool Crown Court has heard.

The victim, Andrew Iddon, had been infatuated with 17-year-old Emma Francombe and his nightmare experience began after he allegedly kicked her friend.

The friend, Kerry Edwards, rang a male acquaintance for help and he and two other men dragged 23-year-old Mr Iddon from his home in Wallasey and drove him to the girls' flat in Naples Street, Seacombe, where he was beaten, said Mark Brown, prosecuting.

Two other men also took part in the attack during which the hot iron was placed against his cheek, an air rifle placed to his head and he was told he was going to be shot.

Sentencing the gang, Judge Denis Clark said: "You took the law into your own hands to teach him a lesson. Now I'm going to teach you a lesson.

"You bullied him, harassed him and beat him up. One of you branded him - the pain must have been excruciating. You were like animals in a pack, hounds when they have caught their prey," said Judge Clark.

"I must send out a message that group punishments of this nature will not be tolerated and to show society's revulsion of this barbaric behaviour," he added.

Paul Crooke, 22, of Merton Road, Wallasey, who wielded the iron, was jailed for three-and-a-half years. He had admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

William Cubbin, 21, of New Street, Wallasey was jailed for two-and-a-half years. He, along with David Keete, 19, of Seymour Street, Birkenhead, had pleaded guilty to kidnapping and assault.

Cubbin also admitted being in breach of a community service and probation order which had been made on the day of Mr Iddon's ordeal.

Keate received 15 months' detention, as did 18-year-old Kerry Edwards, of Naples Road, Wallasey. She had admitted assault and false imprisonment.

Emma Francombe, 18, of Liscard Road, Wallasey, and Phillip Astle, 20, of Grosvenor Road, New Brighton, who both admitted assault, were both ordered to carry out 100 hours' community service and were placed on probation for two years.

Graham Boote, 29, of Church Road, Wallasey, who also admitted assault, was ordered to carry out 220 hours' community service.

Mr Brown said that the incident happened on November 13. After the two women arrived at Mr Iddon's home in Hood Street he had agreed to go with them. Croke, Cubbin and Keate were waiting and he was thrown downstairs and assaulted.

Dazed, he was bundled into a car and taken to the girls' flat. Edwards kicked him in the face and the men kicked him about the head. Boote arrived and punched him twice in the face and Astle also joined in the attack by punching.

His ordeal ended after another woman arrived and found him lying covered in blood and pleading with the gang. She threatened to call the police and they let him go, though Cubbin warned him not to tell what had happened.

Mr Andrew Downie, defending, said that Edwards had reacted hysterically after Mr Iddon had kicked her. She had ended up in care when younger because of a history of family violence and she has two previous convictions for assault.

Mr Andrew Loveridge, defending, said that Francombe had not wanted Mr Iddon's attentions. It was his infatuation which had initially sparked off what happened.

Cubbin was not a violent man but had admitted his role in the events and bitterly regretted them, said his barrister, Mr Trevor Parry Jones.

Mr Henry Riding, defending, said that Keate had been in the wrong place at the wrong time when Cubbin got the call from Edwards.

Croke's barrister, Mr Keith Sutton, said he had grabbed the iron, which was already switched on, from nearby and used it. The victim has not been scarred, which shows that he did not use sustained pressure. He is remorseful for his actions.

Mr David Watson, defending, said that Boote had been in a bail hostel while on remand and while there helped save the life of a man who had tried to commit suicide. He had given him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and this incident had upset him so much that he has been receiving counselling.

Astle's barrister, Mr Tom Eaton, said that he had arrived to visit Edwards. Having been told that Mr Iddon had assaulted her, he punched him.

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