JAILED: Kidnappers who threatened to chop off businessman's toes and stab him

Two Nottinghamshire brothers have been jailed for kidnapping a Derbyshire businessman off the street and holding his friend to ransom for his safe return.
Dominic Usher is picturedDominic Usher is pictured
Dominic Usher is pictured

Dominic and Jason Usher, along with Greg King, pounced on their 53-year-old victim in a Heanor street, on the evening of Monday 28 April 2014.

They forced him into a van and bound his legs and hands. They then punched him, and threatened to stab him and chop off his toes if he didn’t give them the keys to his safe.

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When he was not forthcoming the men paid his friend a visit and attempted to blackmail him.

Dominic Usher is picturedDominic Usher is pictured
Dominic Usher is pictured

Unsuccessful, they then took their victim to a remote farm track in Watnall and left him to find his own way to safety — shoeless, battered and bruised and with his legs and hands still bound. He eventually flagged down a passing motorist.

A few weeks before this incident, Dominic Usher was involved in a robbery at a house in Beckley Road, Arnold, in Nottinghamshire.

A ceramic vase was smashed over the head of the 31-year-old resident in the hunt for cash and jewellery. She was also punched, tied her up and threatened with being stabbed and shot.

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In Cossall, Nottinghamshire, three days later, Dominic and Jason set fire to the stolen convertible Mazda used in the robbery.

Dominic Usher is picturedDominic Usher is pictured
Dominic Usher is pictured
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It was not enough to cover their tracks. Enquiries by detectives not only led them to the Usher brothers and King for the kidnap, but found further evidence linking Dominic to the robbery.

But the offending didn’t stop there. Dominic, with help from his girlfriend Grainne Cafferkey and friend Scott Finch, attempted to pay off a key witness in the kidnap case.

After a trial at Stafford Crown Court Dominic Usher, of Colmon Walk in Nottingham, was found guilty of kidnap, blackmail, robbery and arson. The 29-year-old also admitted conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

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At the same court on Wednesday (27 July 2016) he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a tariff of 11-and-a-half years.

Jason Usher, of Willow Hill Close in Nottingham, previously pleaded guilty to kidnap, blackmail and arson. The 27-year-old was acquitted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. He received a ten year prison sentence.

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Thirty-year-old Gregory James King previously pleaded guilty to kidnap and blackmail. King, of Portland Road in Selston, Nottinghamshire, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

Grainne Cafferkey, of Cromwell Street in Nottingham, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The 24-year-old received a 44 month sentence.

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Scott Andrew Finch, of Durnford Street in Nottingham, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The 32-year-old was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Myers, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “In July 2014 Dominic Usher’s accomplice in the robbery was sentenced to seven years in jail. I bet he thought he’d got away with it. But it was only a matter of time before his criminal activities caught up with him.

“Crime always leaves a footprint and we do everything within our means to bring violent individuals like Dominic Usher before a judge.

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“Thankfully the victims in these cases escaped with cuts and bruises, which have since healed — and we were even able to reunite the robbery victim with some of her stolen jewellery — but the psychological effects of their ordeals remains with them still. I hope today’s jail terms give them some comfort to go about their lives without fear.” 

PICTURED IN ORDER:

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Dominic Usher- found guilty of kidnap, blackmail, robbery and arson. The 29-year-old also admitted conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Jason Usher- previously pleaded guilty to kidnap, blackmail and arson. The 27-year-old was acquitted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. He received a ten year prison sentence.

Greg King- previously pleaded guilty to kidnap and blackmail. King, of Portland Road in Selston, Nottinghamshire, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.

Grainne Cafferkey- previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The 24-year-old received a 44 month sentence.

Scott Andrew Finch- previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The 32-year-old was sentenced to 16 months in prison.