Kidnappers tied a vulnerable up with cables, drugged, burnt and violently assaulted him with machetes in a twisted bid to steal over £100,000 in cryptocurrency.
When police officers arrived at a flat in Irlam, Greater Manchester after an anonymous report of welfare concerns on December 2, they were met by one assailant, Karl Johnson, running away.
Upon entering to the property they found a violently assaulted victim who begged and pleaded to an officer: ‘Can you take me with you?’
The bruised and burnt man had been tied to a bed along with electrical cables as well as a dressing grown strap, and terrorised by the thugs who used machetes and a pistol to assault him whilst they demanded he hand over his cryptocurrency wealth.
The vulnerable man explained to Greater Manchester Police officers that he had been hauled into the flat with a bag over his head, against his will, and subjected to a brutal attack.
Following a probe launched by the Criminal Investigation Department more weapons were found at the property including a firearm, a metal baseball bat, a hammer, knives, and meat cleavers.
Detectives later discovered that the defendants tried to steal thousands of pounds worth of cryptocurrency in the vulnerable man’s possession by means of violence, kidnap and false imprisonment.
The victim had been targeted on several occasions and threatened with death if he didn’t hand over his crypto-wealth to the heartless thugs, who now face a collective 76- year prison sentence.
Seven men – David Povey, Jonathan Newns, Luke Johnson, Gary Edwards, Kane Goddiff, Scott Armstrong and Karl Johnson have handed – have since been jailed for their crimes against the victim.
The first incident occurred on January 2023 when the victim answered the door to a man threatening assault if he did not hand over his cryptocurrency to Scott Armstrong. The victim transferred the money, and upon receipt, the man left.
Later that same month, David Povey returned to the vulnerable man’s address with another individual armed with a knife demanding he give up more money.
However the groups attacks only began to escalate further as they dragged the victim into a flat at Cadishead and Gary Edwards coerced him to transfer more money.
But when he couldn’t hand over the currency straight away, he was subjected to violent attacks, restrained overnight, and locked in a cupboard.
His co-assailant Kane Godiff threatened the victim with death if he hand the money over. Once they received their cash they let the man go.
But it was only days later when they came to his house again, kidnapping him to Eget Drive – the addressed he was found at a month later by police.
The last assault took place on 30 November when he was approached by Gary Edwards who threw him into a van and covered his head after visiting a friend’s house.
At the Irlam flat police found documents belonging to Johnson, as well as several cigarette butts with traces of DNA from Karl and Luke Johnson
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 seized by police provided a DNA match to Jonathan Mews.
Last Thursday the seven men appeared at Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced for their roles.
Jonathan Newns 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 of Dalebeck Close, Whitefield, was found guilty of robbery, kidnap, false imprisonment, and attempted robbery. He has been jailed for 20 years.
Luke Johnson 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 of Cumberland Avenue, Cadishead, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. He has been jailed for ten years and two months.
Kane Godiff of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. He has been jailed for seven years and five months.
Karl Johnson 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 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 our Salford district said: ‘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.’