Nurse was beaten and kidnapped in van raid

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday how Michael Still was sleeping in the van because at the time he had not moved to the area after getting a new job.

He was parked at Ainley Top off the M62 near Huddersfield last April 12 but at 1.30 am was woken by a man asking him to ring for a taxi claiming to have had an accident. Mr Still was looking up a number on his mobile phone when he realised another two men were also outside, and he was then attacked.

Richard Smith, prosecuting, said Mr Still was dragged from the vehicle and one of the trio, Ashley Wayne Smith stamped on the phone before repeatedly punching him in the face .

Bleeding, he was then bundled back into the vehicle and one of the others, who has not been identified, drove the vehicle to Brighouse, with Mr Still being further assaulted during the journey.

Smith was behaving increasingly aggressive and kicked at the windscreen, causing it to crack, because he wanted to drive. When they reached another town the third man got out, and the vehicle continued before Mr Still was forced to hand over £500 at a cash point by the driver.

Smith then drove for a while before the other man again replaced him. When the vehicle slowed in a cul-de-sac Mr Still managed to escape, finding himself in Heckmondwike. He was bruised, bleeding from cuts, had injuries to his nose and two black eyes.

Police later found the camper van in Batley and Smith, who was nearby, was arrested. Robin Frieze representing him said he was horrified when he sobered up and realised what he had done

Smith, 19 of Hirst Avenue, Dale Lane, Heckmondwike, was sent to a young offender institution for three and a half years and banned from driving for two years after admitting kidnap, assault and driving over the prescribed limit.