Five Guilty Of Violent Birmingham Honeytrap Kidnapping
A man was kidnapped and savagely beaten after announcing his new relationship on Facebook. By Jason King A father and son kidnapped, tortured, and robbed…
Five Guilty Of Violent Birmingham Honeytrap Kidnapping
A man was kidnapped and savagely beaten after announcing his new relationship on Facebook.
By Jason King
Afather and sonkidnapped, tortured, and robbeda man in arevenge attackover his rekindled relationship with a woman they once had ties to.
Steven Baker, 60, and Matthew Baker, 29,both fromTyseley,luredAnthony Cooperinto a car, beat him, and subjected him to aprolonged and vicious ordealas part of a 5 person gang,Birmingham Crown Courtheard. The pairdisapprovedof Mr Cooper’s relationship withBethany Love,withMatthew Bakerhaving previously been involved with her.
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Daniel Aston, 33
(kidnap, unlawful wounding, robbery)
•David Bambrough, 41(assault occasioning actual bodily harm)
WhileBambrough was not involved in the initial honeytrap setup, he participated in the violence at his HMO. The other four were directly involved inluring, kidnapping, and attacking Anthony Cooper.
AsMr Cooper arrived,Wolleter messagedher then-boyfriend,Daniel Aston, 33,confirming she had“got him.”Moments later,Steven Baker pulled up in a Mercedes estate,punchedMr Cooperin the face, andforced him into the car,where his sonMatthew BakerandAstonjoined in theassault.
Mr Cooper wasthrottled, punched, and threatened with a knifeas they drove to aHMO in Small Heath,run by their associateDavid Bambrough, 41.There, he waspushed onto a bed, repeatedly struck with a metal bar,and beaten so violently that hisscreams raised concern among neighbours.
Fearingpolice attention,the gangdrove him to a park,where the attack continued.The Bakers, Aston, and Wolleter kicked himwhile he lay on the ground, withWolleter stamping on his genitals.At one point,Mr Cooper cried out in pain,only forSteven Bakerto sneer:“Good, you deserve it.”
Matthew Baker documented the attack,takingphotos of the bloodied and dazed victimand sending them to others.Mr Cooper’s phone and bank card were stolenbefore he wasdumped near his home.Hisflatmates later found him unconsciouson the doorstep and called thepolice.
Allfive attackers worked at the same homeless charityas the victim. Theypleaded guiltyto charges includingkidnap and unlawful wounding.Aston also admitted robbery,whileBambrough pleaded guiltytoassault occasioning actual bodily harm.They will besentenced at a later date.
ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:
SENTENCING FOR KIDNAP AND VIOLENT ASSAULT
Kidnapping is a serious offence under UK law, typically charged under common law rather than statute. It involves the unlawful taking and carrying away of a person by force or fraud, without their consent. Punishmentvariesdepending on the severity of theoffence, but those convicted can face life imprisonment.
In cases involving violent assaults, charges often includeunlawful wounding(Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861) orgrievous bodily harm with intent(Section 18 of the same Act). The latter carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of sustained or premeditated attacks.
Where a victim is falsely imprisoned, additional charges may apply underfalse imprisonment, another common law offence punishable by life imprisonment. Aggravating factors, such as multiple offenders, the use of weapons, or prolonged violence, can significantly increase sentences.
In this case, the offenders pleaded guilty to kidnap and unlawful wounding, with one also admitting to robbery. Their sentencing will reflect both the violence involved and the lasting impact on the victim, reinforcing the courts’ strong stance on crimes involving coercion and brutality.
NewSentencing Guidelinesfor kidnap and false imprisonmentwill be brought in on 1st April.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
