A man who tracked a woman to York and kidnapped her by forcing her out of a hotel into his car has been jailed.
North Yorkshire Police say the woman had only been in the hotel for five minutes when Leon Harvey, 43, arrived and marched her out.
Harvey, of Burke Street, Scunthorpe, denied charges of kidnap and assault but was convicted by a jury and was jailed for six years at York Crown Court.
He was also given a restraining order, preventing him from making any contact with the victim for 20 years.
Police said Harvey arrived at the hotel on the afternoon of September 13, 2025.
On leaving the hotel with the woman Harvey punched and kicked the victim, causing her to fall over causing injuries to her face, lip and knee.
He told the victim that he had a tracker on her vehicle, took her mobile phone and said that she had to come with him in his vehicle.
Leon Harvey, 43, was jailed for six year at York Crown Court
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
Officers soon caught up with the vehicle, and Harvey was arrested and found to be in possession of the victim’s phone and keys.
Digital forensic work of Harvey's phone found tracking apps such as 'find my phone' app, which was how he was able to follow the victim to the hotel.
Emails recovered from his device also showed that he had been subscribing to tracking companies.
During Harvey's interviews, he claimed he was in a relationship with the victim, despite the relationship having ended a number of months earlier.
Kidnapper Leon Harvey of Scunthorpe
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
The investigating officer, PC Simone Frost, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "In his interviews, Harvey showed no remorse and it was clear he believed he had every right to act the way he did. He showed typical abusive behaviour which was possessive and entitled.
"The victim has shown great courage throughout. Thankfully this sentence puts an end to Harvey’s coercive and controlling behaviour and, I hope, goes some way in helping the victim move forward with her life.
"I hope this sentence encourages other victims, who are suffering at the hands of abusers, to come forward and report what is happening to them."