Terrifying Kidnap Drama on Coast Road Ends in Jail
Last July 1, around 7:30pm, police were called to the Coast Road in Wallsend after a man fell from a moving white Vito Mercedes van. Emergency crews arrived fast to find the 34-year-old seriously injured and tied up with cable ties, lying in the middle of the road.
He was rushed to hospital in critical condition as officers launched a full-scale investigation. With only a van description and no immediate leads, detectives scoured CCTV footage and knocked on doors for clues.
Second Victim Comes Forward
A 21-year-old man then told police he had also been held captive inside the van before being dumped near Blyth. He was worried sick about his injured friend. The chilling details soon emerged: Harri Pearce, Mason Schubeler, Reece Speirs, and Ricky Fidler had broken into a house in East Howden, tied up their victims, and bundled them into the van.
The twisted gang drove the men around for hours using not just the white Vito, but also a silver Ford Transit and a grey Vauxhall Astra as getaway vehicles.
Dramatic Police Chase and Arrests
Officers tried to stop Fidler on the Coast Road on July 2, but he fled recklessly, driving the Ford Transit van the wrong way at high speed. The pursuit was called off for safety reasons, but cops soon nabbed all four men and their associate Laura Watson. Watson helped release the second victim and tidy up the scene.
Justice Served: Jail Terms Handed Down
- The four men pleaded guilty to multiple offences including two counts of kidnap, aggravated burglary, dangerous driving, and assault. They received a combined sentence of 10 years behind bars. Fidler, in particular, got a nine-and-a-half-year driving ban and must pass an extended retest to drive again.
- Laura Watson, 47, admitted one count of kidnap and was jailed for two years and one month.
