Two members of a gang which included a serving police officer have been given life sentences for their parts in the torture and blackmail of a Midland businessman.
Birmingham Crown Court had heard how Thomas Scragg was bundled into a room in a public house and subjected to a six-hour ordeal including having his face slashed with a machete before Pc Colin Hester collected £ 72,000 ransom money from the victim's business partner outside the Coventry police station where he was based.
Following a six-week trial David Houston (31) of Tile Hill, Coventry and Paul Farr (36) of no fixed address, were found guilty of charges of wounding, false imprisonment and blackmail.
They were both given sentences of imprisonment for public protection by Judge Philip Gregory.
Andrew McKray (22), previously of the Prince William Henry pub in Foleshill, Coventry, was jailed for four-and-a-half years after being convicted of wounding with intent.
David French (57), of Windsor, was sentenced to four years following a conviction for blackmail.
Pc Hester (36), found guilty of blackmail, will be sentenced next month.
