Footage has captured the moment a kidnap victim jumped from a first-floor window into a tree to escape his captors in Lincolnshire. The victim, who was subjected to 'violent abuse and humiliation', was lured to an address on July 4, 2025, before a group of five people forced him into the back of a pickup truck.
He was driven to another property in Lincoln, where he was again held against his will. Video footage released by police reveals his desperate escape from the property.
Dramatic escape caught on CCTV
The footage shows the victim climbing out of a first-floor window onto a balcony before leaping into the branches of a nearby tree. A window in the flat opens and a man peers out before the victim falls to the ground and runs off down the street.
Fortunately, a police car drives up the road towards him, and the victim jumps into the road in front of the vehicle before climbing into the back and telling the officers he needs help. He was brought to safety by the police, who took an account of the incident.
Suspects arrested and sentenced
Two of the suspects were seen leaving the flat before returning with a duffle bag. They then got into a pickup truck parked nearby, which was tracked before being stopped by armed police and arrested. Three other suspects were arrested that evening at another address.
Lincolnshire Police say that for hours the victim endured violence and intimidation. He was repeatedly assaulted, threatened, humiliated and tormented by his captors, while those involved filmed the abuse on their mobile phones and laughed as it unfolded.
Court outcome
All five appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, August 28, to be sentenced for their roles in the kidnapping. The court heard that the victim had been subjected to the harrowing ordeal following the breakdown of a past relationship.
Brad'Lee Ranyard, 20, of Portland Street, Lincoln, was jailed for nine years after being convicted of kidnap and pleading guilty to false imprisonment. Jackson Nicholson, 25, of Lindsay Drive, Gainsborough, was also jailed for nine years after being convicted of kidnap and pleading guilty to false imprisonment.
Craig Ranyard, 42, of Barsey Walk, Horncastle, was sentenced to five years and three months' imprisonment after being convicted of false imprisonment. Danielle Thompson, 38, of Lime Walk, Market Rasen, was sentenced to four years and nine months' imprisonment after being convicted of false imprisonment. Nathan Gladwell, 36, of Union Street, Market Rasen, was sentenced to three years and seven months' imprisonment after being convicted of false imprisonment.
DC Liam Henderson, who led the investigation, said: "This was a sustained and deeply distressing ordeal in which a man was subjected to violence, threats and humiliation at the hands of people who appeared to find amusement in his suffering. The victim showed remarkable courage in seizing the opportunity to escape. The CCTV footage captures a desperate moment in which he quite literally risked everything to get away from those holding him captive."
