Gainsborough drug dealer jailed after tying user who owed him money to a tree

A Gainsborough man convicted of false imprisonment of a drug user has been jailed for two years at Lincoln Crown Court.

Jim Smith was found guilty by a jury following a trial. He was cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to the man.

The jury failed to reach a verdict on a third charge of kidnap. He was later cleared of that offence after the prosecution subsequently offered no evidence against him.

Smith, 25, of Riseholme Road, Gainsborough, denied all three charges.

Lawn Mowing

BCS Ltd Turf

View details

Print voucher

bcs

Contact: 01522 705130

Valid until: Saturday, June 29 2013

During the trial, the jury heard how Smith tied Brian Page to a tree, keeping him imprisoned for a number of hours.

The incident, which the jury was told was an attempt by Smith to enforce a drug debt owed to him by Page, occurred in the early hours of August 2, 2012 at an area of woodland at the back of the Summergangs Lane travellers' site in Gainsborough.

The jury heard that Page had been selling drugs on behalf of Smith but they fell out after Page lost a stash of drugs and money. Page, who gave evidence via a video link, told the jury that he was only able to escape after Smith fell asleep.

The court was told that Page was so fearful he has had to move.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said: "As a result of this he has had to move away from Gainsborough where he has lived since the age of seven.

"That is because of his fear of further attacks from the defendant and members of his family.

"He is always looking over his shoulder when he goes out. He fears he will end up dead in a ditch."

Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told Smith: "It is quite clear from the evidence, in particular from the text messages going back and forth between you and Brian Page, that he was dealing in drugs on your behalf and he owed you money in relation to those drugs.

"You tied him to a tree so that he could not escape. It is quite plain he was very fearful of what was going to happen to him.

"He remained where he was for, in my judgement, just less than two hours. I am quite satisfied that you threatened him that if he didn't pay you his debt he would end up in the ditch."

Smith, in evidence, denied he was a dealer and claimed Page was selling drugs to him.

He told the jury he was totally innocent and played no part in any false imprisonment or violence against Page.