A fake kidnapping claim led to innocent members of a family being arrested at gunpoint whilst they sat and ate their tea before being held for 15 hours in police cells.
Deceitful Ricki Kendall, aka Curry, sent a “completely fabricated” report to police he witnessed balaclava-clad people armed with a machete dragging a man into a house. A court heard how the frantic 999 call from Kendall sparked an armed response at an an address in Newcastle, The Chronicle Live reports.
The family were stunned to see multiple blue lights outside their home on December 30 last year. One of them to decided to see what was happening. Omar Ahmad, prosecuting said: “He opened the door to find an officer pointing a firearm at him and telling him to get down.”
Four people were arrested and two young children were present during the raid. Kendall 30, of Lemington, Newcastle decided to stick to his lie, and even provided a false description of the individuals and their clothing, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Police launched a probe and swiped through CCTV. It was found there was no footage to support his story. No weapons were also recovered from the house and no one else reported such an incident taking place.
Mr Ahmad said: “It soon transpired the defendant had completely fabricated the report he had made to the police. The police said 72 hours of police time were wasted and the total cost was £4,140.”
One of the victims, who was in custody for 15 hours as a result of Kendall’s lies, said in a victim impact statement: “Ever since this, I’ve not been the same in myself. Seeing the incident in the paper and on social media has impacted on me.
“I saw comments like get them off the streets and other racial slurs. All my family were doing was having tea. I’m frustrated and upset someone would do this.”
Another member of the family who was arrested added: “Every time I hear sirens I get flashbacks. I don’t know why anyone would do this.” He added: “The furniture in my home was damaged by the police.”
A third arrested man added: “I’ve never been in a police station before, let alone arrested. I was taken away from my family for something I’ve not done.
“My 11-year-old brother witnessed it and was crying and distressed. I don’t know why someone reported I kidnapped someone. I want to know why someone would do this to us.”
Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Stubbs KC told Kendall: “You were in a mental health crisis. You were making calls to the emergency services and they weren’t doing what you wanted them to do so you decided to make up a really serious allegation, saying someone had been kidnapped or assaulted and taken into a house.
“Several firearms officers attended that house and arrested people and they were locked up for 15 hours and you wasted, effectively nine days of police time, involving firearms officers who have far better things to do.”
While on bail for that offence of perverting the course of justice, Kendall went on to rob a taxi driver on August 16 this year. Using a false name, he ordered a cab from a hotel in Jesmond, Newcastle and asked to be taken to Lemington.
When they arrived and he was told the fare was £16, he produced a knife and demanded the taxi driver’s takings and was eventually handed £110. The victim said: “The incident has been terrible. I’ve been a taxi driver for eight years and have never had anything like this happen to me before.
“It shook me up. He pointed a knife and took money I earned from me. I’m just trying to do my work and earn money for my family.”
Kendall, 30, who has 39 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery. For that and the perverting justice offence, which he also admitted, he was jailed for a total of 53 months. Fiona Lamb, defending, said Kendall has mental health issues and she added he has disabilities after previously jumping off a bridge.
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