A group of individuals who executed a series of violent, calculated attacks on men have now been sentenced.
Between August and September last year, three men, two women and a teenage boy lured victims using fake online profiles, tricking them into thinking they were meeting girls they had been chatting to. Upon arrival in Ramsey, the men were ambushed, threatened, assaulted and forced to transfer thousands of pounds under duress.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary led a complex investigation which has now culminated in sentencing.
The first attack occurred on 14 August when a 37-year-old man went to Queen Mary Close, Ramsey expecting to meet a girl. That person turned out to be 19-year-old Keileigh Spencer, who recorded him. As he approached, Tristian Vernon-Harriott emerged from bushes, threatened to kill him if he didn’t hand over his phone and passcode. Vernon-Harriott demanded £10,000, poured water over his head and forced him to drink from a puddle. In the end, £25,100 was transferred.
On 29 August, a 25-year-old man was drawn to the same area under the pretense of meeting Spencer. He was attacked with a hammer, kicked in the face, and coerced into making false crime confessions on camera by Jesse Morgan-Smith and a 16-year-old boy. The victim was held overnight by the group and Jonathan Stokes, forced to transfer £13,780, and had his vehicle stolen.
On 5 September, a 45-year-old man met Spencer and was taken to a grain store. He was repeatedly punched by Morgan-Smith and pressured by David Chapman and his partner Michelle Bailey to apply for a £10,000 loan while held overnight. The group took £2,200 from his account.
In the final incident, on 7 September, a 23-year-old man suffered a broken nose and fractured cheekbone after assaults by Vernon-Harriott and Morgan-Smith at the same Ramsey location. A machete was pressed to his leg while banking details were demanded. He was then driven home, his vehicle stolen, and the £585 in his bank account was taken.
Detectives used CCTV, banking records and mobile phone data to identify and connect the suspects to all four incidents.
After an eight-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court, sentences were handed down yesterday (1 October).
- David Chapman, 43, of The Avenue, Ramsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail. He received 13 years in prison.
- Jonathan Stokes, 36, of Mallard Close, Ramsey, was convicted of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, acquiring criminal property and dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months.
- Michelle Bailey, 40, of The Avenue, Ramsey, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, two counts of acquiring criminal property and two counts of transferring criminal property. She was jailed for 7 years and 3 months.
- Tristian Vernon-Harriott, 20, of Queen Mary Close, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, possession of articles to be used in fraud and acquiring criminal property. He was sentenced to 10 years and 2 months.
- Keileigh Spencer, 19, of Queen Mary Close, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail. She was jailed for 8 years and 4 months.
- Jesse Morgan-Smith, 18, of Field Road, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail, possession of a knife, acquiring criminal property and being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs. He got 8 years and 2 months.
- A 16-year-old boy, from St Neots (unnamed for legal reasons), pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy to blackmail. He was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months.
Detective Constable Hannah Moore, who led the investigation, said: “These were calculated and deeply disturbing crimes. The victims were subjected to terrifying ordeals, physical violence and psychological abuse, leaving lasting emotional and physical scars.
“The group showed no remorse, using fear and humiliation to extort money. Thanks to the bravery of the victims and work of our officers, we have been able to bring those responsible to justice.”
Source: Cambridgeshire Constabulary