Three men were jailed yesterday (Tuesday 22 December 2009) for a total of 19 years for a blackmail conspiracy that took place in York
Hesan Eldin Zaboli, 25, of Bramhall Lane, Stockport, was sent to prison for nine years for his part in the conspiracy.
Kevin Shaun Ingram, 32, of Moor Lane, Manchester, and Paul Carlton Peter Richards, 31, of Selwood Walk, Manchester, each receiv
ed five year sentences at the Leeds Crown Court hearing.
Background During the evening of Monday 30 March 2009, North Yorkshire Police received a report that a 26-year-old man from York had been taken against his will by a group of unknown men.
The men took the victim to Manchester where he was help captive. They then made demands for £12,000 from the victim's 55-year-old father to secure his son's release.
The demand related to an alleged unpaid debt.
A team of police officers worked around the clock to successfully secure the safe release of the man in Manchester on Thursday 2 April 2009.
Richards and Ingram were arrested by Greater Manchester Police at the same time the victim was released as part of a carefully planned firearms operations.
Zaboli was arrested in Manchester on 22 April 2009 following further police enquiries in the city.
Police statement Detective Superintendent Helen Taylor, the senior investigating officer from North Yorkshire Police, said: "It is highly satisfying that justice has been achieved in this complex and challenging investigation.
"The successful outcome is the result of a co-ordinated investigation using specialist resources in collaboration with the Yorkshire and Humberside forces and Greater Manchester Police.
"While local residents can be reassured that this type of offence is rare, they can also rest assured that North Yorkshire Police and its partner forces are very capable of dealing with such serious incidents.
"Our determination and capacity to tackle serious crime and protect our communities is unstinting."
Recorder Duncan Smith gave a commendation to all the police officers and police staff involved in the investigation. He will also be forwarding his praise directly to North Yorkshire Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell and the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.
After passing sentence, he commented: "The police work was first rate in this case."
Zaboli
