Covered in burns and bruises, he begged 'can you take me with you?' - Manchester Evening News

Covered in burns and bruises, he begged 'can you take me with you?'

The vulnerable victim had been drugged, threatened, deliberately burnt, hit with weapons, locked in a cupboard and bound with cables in a horrific reign of terror by the cryptocurrency gang

James HoltSenior Live and Breaking News Reporter

A man who had a bag put over his head and was tied up by a cryptocurrency gang begged police 'can you take me with you?' after he was eventually found being held captive in a flat.

The vulnerable victim had been drugged, threatened, deliberately burnt, hit with weapons, locked in a cupboard and bound with cables in a horrific reign of terror at the property in Irlam, a court heard.

After months of torment, investigations revealed that the victim had been used to acquire hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cryptocurrency which the defendants, through use of violence, kidnap, and false imprisonment, then sought to steal from him.

The abuse first began when the victim answered a knock at his door in January 2023, a court was told. He was threatened with violence by thug Scott Armstrong if he didn't transfer cryptocurrency to him. Later that month, another associate, David Povey, went back to the victims address with another man, armed with a knife and demanding more money.

Months later, in October, police said the victim went to an address in the Cadishead area. When he arrived, another gang member, Gary Edwards, dragged him into the flat. He was tied up and forced to send more money.

When he couldn’t pay immediately, they kept him restrained all night and subjected him to violent assaults before locking him in a cupboard. If he didn’t pay, fellow associate Kane Godiff told him he would be killed. After they received the money, he was freed.

Days later, the gang turned up at the victim's house again, demanding more money. They took him to Egret Drive, the address he was later found at by police, and placed a bag over his head.

The final incident took place on November 30. The victim had been at a friend’s address when he was approached by defendant Gary Edwards and thrown into a van and had his head covered once again.

Then, on December 2, the police received an anonymous tip-off reporting concerns for welfare at the flat. Upon attending, police saw a man running away from the address – later identified as Karl Johnson. The victim was also found inside, who begged 'can you take me with you?' before revealing the tirade of violence he had been subjected to.

He explained that he’d been brought to this property against his will with a bag over his head. He spoke of the ordeal they had subjected him to, and revealed how he’d been violently assaulted and tied up.

Officers searched the address and found a dressing gown strap which had been tied to the bed, along with electrical cables. The victim also had a burn mark on his hand, and bruises on his body from where he had been hit with a weapon, court was told.

Detectives uncovered that the victim had acquired hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cryptocurrency which the defendants had sought to steal from him.

As the investigation developed, detectives identified that the gang had 'terrorised' the victim on several occasions, demanding crypto currency, using machetes and a pistol to assault him, and on one occasion, drugging him with morphine.

At the property, detectives from GMP's Criminal Investigation Department seized a viable firearm, a magazine containing three rounds of ammunition, an imitation firearm and an air pistol, electrical cables, ropes, and cable ties which were used to restrain the victim, knives, meat cleavers, a metal baseball bat, a machete, and a hammer.

Police also found documents belonging to Karl Johnson, and several cigarette butts which had DNA from Karl and Luke Johnson.

The victim explained that similar incidents had happened several months earlier, but that he had been let go after paying them a sum of over £100,000.

Police revealed how further phone analysis identified that the defendants were in contact in the nights leading up to the first kidnap. Similarly, after police located the victim, Jonathan Newns, David Povey, and Karl Johnson were all in regular contact with one another. Cell site analysis also placed them all at the at the house on Egret Drive on the dates of kidnap.

A forensic analysis of the black hand pistol and ammunition that police seized provide a DNA profile which was a match for Jonathan Newns.

On Thursday (January 30), the gang of seven men appeared at Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced for their roles after being found guilty of multiple offences. They have been jailed for more 76 years between them.

Jonathan Newns, 24, of Salix Court, Whitebeam Close, Salford was found guilty of two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, kidnap, and possession of a prohibited firearm. He has been jailed for 20 years.

David Povey, 38, of Dalebeck Close, Whitefield, was found guilty of robbery, kidnap, false imprisonment, and attempted robbery. He has been jailed for 20 years.

Luke Johnson, 25, of Southway, Eccles, was found guilty of two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, and two counts of kidnap. He has been jailed for 13 years and six months.

Gary Edwards, 47, of Cumberland Avenue, Cadishead, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. He has been jailed for ten years and two months.

Kane Godiff, 33, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. He has been jailed for seven years and five months.

Karl Johnson, 35, of Egret Drive, Irlam, pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging or assisting an offence of robbery. He has been jailed for three years years.

Scott Armstrong, 39, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to two counts of transferring criminal property. he has been jailed for two years and four months.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Stephanie Bowling, said: “This was a challenging investigation which has thankfully resulted in these dangerous offenders being removed from the streets for a significant amount of time.

“While I know that this sentence won’t change or takeaway from the trauma that our victim was subjected to, I sincerely hope that it helps him move forward with his life, safe in the knowledge that these men are now behind bars.”

Detective Inspector Justin Bryant from GMP's Salford district added: “These men showed a concerning propensity for violence and weren’t afraid to use a variety of formidable weapons to get what they want. I’d like to commend the victim for his bravery, and I hope he continues to recover from this experience.

“I not only hope that this sentencing acts as a deterrent to anyone who may be considering such violence, but I hope it reassures the communities of Greater Manchester that we will use all specialist resources and skills catch harmful offenders.”

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