Two men were sentenced to prison at Bristol Crown Court on Monday (February 17th) after pleading guilty to false imprisonment and actual bodily harm.
Stephen Waters, 54, pictured right, who lived on the John Fowler Holiday Park in Brean near Burnham-On-Sea and Justin Weldon, 37, from Highbury Parade in Weston, pleaded guilty earlier in the year after they falsely imprisoned Graham Slade on 9th August 2013 and subjected to him to what HH Judge Longman described as “a sustained and brutal assault.”
Waters was sentenced to four years in prison for false imprisonment and two years and four months for the assault. These are to run concurrently. He was also given an additional six months in prison for breaching the terms of a suspended sentence from 2011 after being found guilty of drugs offences and mortgage fraud.
Weldon was also given four years in prison for false imprisonment and two years and four months for the assault, also to run concurrently.
Upon release, both men will be required to adhere to a supervision order and a restraining order, which prevents them from having any contact with the victim or his family for a period of 10 years.
Following a dispute over unpaid loans, Mr Slade was taken to Kewstoke Quarry and subjected to, what Judge Longman described as “a prolonged incident carried out to cause fear, pain and humiliation to the victim.”
The court heard how Mr Slade had racked up huge debts, and had been reported to have been charged £1,000 per-day interest on a loan.
On the 9th August, Waters and Weldon took Mr Slade from a pub where they had met him to Kewstoke Quarry in his own car. He was taken to a lock-up on the quarry site where he was punched and kicked repeatedly. He was also hit on the back and head with a glass bottle sustaining injuries that required hospital treatment.
He was kept in the lock-up for a period of time whilst both the offenders left the site for several hours before returning and resuming the physical assault, during which they demanded the outstanding money. He was then taken from the quarry in his own car before being dumped in the Monks Park area of the town.
On passing sentence, HH Judge Longman said: “I am sentencing you for what happened on the 9th of August last year. You both commenced an assault which was brutal and sustained. He was made to crawl like a dog, which happened in front of others and was degrading. He (Slade) must have been truly afraid. During this, a gas heater was lit with the sole purpose of threatening him.”
DC Sheila Davies, who was the officer in the case, said: “This was a complicated investigation and an extremely serious case but I am extremely pleased with the sentences imposed today. I feel they reflect the seriousness of the offences and gratuitous violence used. Our communities will be safer with Mr Waters and Mr Weldon behind bars.”
Detective Inspector Jon Deane said: “In this economic climate where individuals are facing debt, it is absolutely unacceptable that people take advantage of them by loaning them money and enforcing huge interest rates with violence and threats.”
“I would urge people to be extremely careful when undertaking financial agreements and loans. Only ever use licensed and accredited financial companies. Never go to illegal loan sharks under any circumstances.”
“If you need help and advice regarding debt management or loans, there are many reputable companies or national organisations who are there to help and support people. Always read the small print and the terms and conditions on any loan, particularly in relation to the interest rates and the repayment requirements. If in any doubt, visit Citizen’s Advice or call your bank.”
For help and advice regarding loans and debt management, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ and also see www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/overview
