'Bullies' jailed after kidnapping and stamping on victim who 'considered them friends'

Two men who police described as ‘bullies’ after they kidnapped and stamped on their victim have been jailed.

Mason Senior and James Kershaw were considered friends by the victim, who they met in Hornsea and enticed into the car they were driving by telling him they were going to see a mutual friend.

But once inside the vehicle, the victim was driven to a secluded spot where Senior and Kershaw demanded his phone, password, wallet and housekeys.

He told police he was punched in the face by Senior while Kershaw held him by the wrists to stop him from escaping.

After finally managing to escape, he was then stamped on by Senior and the pair dragged him back into the car before he managed to eventually flee and seek help at a nearby petrol station.

Humberside Police said it received a call at around 6.30pm on April 18 last year from the victim who requested help after he had been kidnapped and assaulted.

He identified the two culprits but police were initially unable to track down both Senior and Kershaw.

A public appeal led to Kershaw handing himself in at a police station on April 28, while Senior was found in Beverley some weeks later.

Kershaw was charged with kidnap, robbery, and blackmail, while Senior was charged with robbery, kidnap, grievous bodily harm, criminal damage, threats to kill, and possession of a Class B.

Senior, 25, of Huddersfield Road in Mirfield, admitted kidnap and robbery and was jailed for five years at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday (Aug 12).

Kershaw, also 25 and of Haggitt Grove in Beverley, admitted a charge of robbery and was jailed for three years.

PC Tom Gordge, from Humberside Police, said: “First, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the members of the public who came to the man’s aid and supported him after what was an extremely traumatic incident whilst waiting for officers to arrive.

“I commend the man for coming forward and disclosing what had happened to him; it is not easy when feeling threatened and worrying about the repercussions from people who he knew and considered friends, and throughout the entirety of the investigation and judicial proceedings he has been nothing but patient and supportive.

“Whilst he was lucky to have not sustained more serious injuries as a result of the ordeal Senior and Kershaw subjected him to, coming away with significant bruising to his head, face, and wrists from being restrained by them, the mental scars of the incident will undoubtedly stay with him for a very long time.

“Bullies like Senior and Kershaw must be held accountable for their actions, and violent crime of any nature will not be tolerated in our communities.

“I am glad to see they are both behind bars and off our streets.”