Donald Hammond and Mark Pearce guilty of conspiracy to kidnap

Teesside Crown Court heard today (February 18), how the victim was bundled into a van with his hands and feet bound with cable ties.

He also had tape covering his eyes and mouth while he was taken to a caravan located on a field near to Sandy Lane in Stockton.

Mark Pearce, 52, and Donald Hammond, 43, both denied being involved in the crime.

Today, a jury found them both guilty of conspiracy to kidnap following a two-week trial. They will both return to Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, April 7 to be sentenced.

Donald Hammond (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

During the trial, the court heard how the victim was stripped naked, beaten and then forced to film a video for his family to pay a ransom.

Footage played to the court, showed a black Mercedes, hired from London following Pearce’s Land Rover onto the field where the caravan was located.

Hammond, of Papermill Place in London, denied that it was him travelling from London to Stockton, despite mobile phone data obtained by police showing his mobile phone was connecting to masts in that area.

Pearce, of Honeycomb Avenue in Stockton, also denied being in the Land Rover and claimed he was busy racing pigeons at his allotment.

Mark Pearce (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Cleveland Police detectives obtained CCTV and mobile phone data during their investigation, which led to the men being arrested and charged.

Detective Constable Jonathan Pain, from Stockton CID, said: “Firstly, I want to recognise the courage that has been shown by the victim throughout this process following the unimaginable ordeal he was put through by these men.

“I hope this verdict can provide him some comfort going forward.

“During the trial, Pearce claimed he was merely racing his pigeons. Yet there was a considerable amount of material presented to the jury that disputed this, including CCTV and mobile phone data.

“Thankfully, they saw through the smokescreen of his pigeon defence and found him guilty by a unanimous verdict.

“Hammond travelled up from London in a Mercedes that was seen on CCTV throughout the day, with Pearce’s vehicle going to and from the location where the victim was held. The jury also did not believe his account on how his DNA came to be on items left at the scene.

“This was a highly sophisticated plot with national and international elements.

“I take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has any further information about others involved in this to either contact Crimestoppers anonymously or Cleveland Police on 101.

“Please be assured that any information received will be treated confidentially.”