A kidnapped man made a desperate bid for freedom by escaping through a first-floor window, jumping into a nearby tree and running into the street, where he found a passing police car. The dramatic escape brought an end to a terrifying ordeal and ultimately led to five people being jailed.
Lincolnshire Police described the incident as horrifying and said the chance arrival of a marked police vehicle may have saved the victim’s life. CCTV footage released by the force shows the man climbing from the property before making his way into the tree and reaching the ground. He then ran towards the police vehicle and pleaded with officers for help.
The ordeal began on 4 July 2025 when the man was lured to an address in Market Rasen in connection with personal matters arising from a previous relationship breakdown. Once inside, it became clear that he was not free to leave.
Brad’Lee Ranyard, Nathan Gladwell, Jackson Nicholson, Craig Ranyard and Danielle Thompson were inside the property. The court heard that the victim was subjected to violence, threats, humiliation and intimidation over several hours. His captors also filmed parts of the abuse on their mobile phones and laughed as it took place.
The following morning, the victim was forced into the back of an Isuzu pickup by Ranyard and Nicholson. He was driven along back roads to a property on Portland Street in Lincoln, arriving at about 7.30am. He was again held against his will.
Then, at 11.23am, the opportunity he had been waiting for arrived.
CCTV captured the victim escaping through a first floor window and jumping into a tree before climbing down and running into the street. At almost exactly the same time, a marked Lincolnshire Police vehicle turned into Portland Street.
The victim stepped into the road to stop the vehicle before getting into the back and urgently asking officers for help. PC Kingston, who was driving, immediately recognised that the man was in serious distress and took him to safety.
Police then moved quickly to locate those believed to be responsible. Four minutes after the escape, Ranyard and Nicholson were seen leaving the property. They later returned, collected a duffle bag and headed towards the Isuzu pickup. At 12.07pm, officers stopped the vehicle on Washingborough Road and arrested both men. The remaining three suspects were arrested at a property in Market Rasen later that evening.
At Lincoln Crown Court on 28 August, Ranyard, 20, and Nicholson, 25, were each sentenced to nine years in prison for kidnap and false imprisonment.
Craig Ranyard, 42, received five years and three months, Danielle Thompson, 38, was sentenced to four years and nine months, while Nathan Gladwell, 36, received three years and seven months. All five were also given indefinite restraining orders preventing contact with the victim and his family.
Detective Constable Liam Henderson, who led the investigation, praised the victim for his courage, saying he had risked everything to escape those holding him captive. He also highlighted the extraordinary coincidence that a police vehicle happened to enter the street at the crucial moment.
The victim gave permission for the CCTV footage, including footage showing the subsequent arrests, to be released.
