Court told of businessman’s kidnap ordeal

Feb 5 2008 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

A KIDNAP victim was held to ransom by a gang which demanded £25,000 for his release from his businessman brother, a court was told yesterday.

Anthony Pattison was lured to a seaside car park where he had a gun put to his head, his hands tied and his eyes bound with tape so he could not see, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

He was bundled into a stolen van and taken to industrial premises where his arms and legs were tied to a chair, said Neil Davey, QC, prosecuting.

He was held captive as telephone calls were made to negotiate ransom money from his brother Jonathan Pattison, who, after discussions with his family, contacted police.

A manhunt swung into action as Jonathan Pattison negotiated with kidnappers, a recording device was fitted to his phone and his brother was finally released after arrangements were made for the ransom money to be left in a car.

Michael Collins, 45, of Highland Road, Hartlepool, Peter Morrison, 44, of Marden Terrace, Cullercoats, North Tyneside, Colin Threadgill, 46, of Belle Vue Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough and a fourth man, who cannot be named, deny conspiracy to kidnap Tony Pattison with others unknown between February 1 and March 10, 2004.

They all further deny a charge of conspiracy to blackmail Jonathan Pattison with others unknown between the same dates.

Mr Davey said analysis of mobile phones had been used to show that the four defendants and two other men were involved in the blackmail. He said the plot was well-prepared, using a van which had been stolen the previous month and fitted with false number plates, a plywood floor and wooden partition.

Mr Davey alleged on the day of the kidnap, Tony Pattison was lured to a car park in Seaton Carew near Hartlepool by Michael Collins.

“As Michael Collins and Tony Pattison parked side by side talking, a van and a saloon car drew up parking in such a way to shield from on-lookers what was just about to happen,” Mr Davey said. “The next thing Tony Pattison knew is a gun was put close to his face. His hands were tied with cable ties and tape wound round his head so he was unable to see.

“There must have been at least three men immediately involved – one holding the gun, one taping his eyes and one binding his hands. Tony Pattison was dragged into the van with Michael Collins lying on the floor next to him.”

Mr Davey said Collins was part of the kidnap team and his apparent kidnap was “a sham, a piece of window dressing”.

Giving evidence, Tony Pattison, 49, said his captors had asked him how much he was worth. “I said I didn’t have a clue.

“They said ‘you had better make your mind up, was it £2m, £1m?’I said: ‘Do you think I have won the lottery or something?’”

He said during his time in the industrial premises he had been “tied up like a Christmas cracker”.

The trial continues today.