Wigan Man Jailed For Kidnap

16 November 2011, 14:25 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man has been jailed for six years after kidnapping a man, robbing him and stealing his car in Wigan.

35-year-old Gary Taraldsen of Elton House, Norley Hall, Wigan pleaded guilty to robbery and kidnap at an earlier hearing.

It happened in the early hours of Wednesday 1 June 2011, when Taraldsen approached a 43-year-old man sat in his car near White Street, Pemberton, claiming he was a police officer.

He told the man he had been watching him as part of a stakeout and searched him, asking for his driving licence.

Taraldsen then pretended to arrest the man and bundled him into his car, before driving off saying he would let him go if he gave him £3,000.

After 20 minutes, the car was stopped outside a cash machine on Ormskirk Road, Upholland, the man was forced to give his PIN number so cash could be withdrawn and was then punched in the face.

The car was then driven around the Wigan area for around two hours before it was eventually stopped at shops near Thicknesse Avenue.

Taraldsen attempted to withdraw more money but the card was declined. 

The victim then grabbed the keys from the ignition and ran but he was caught up and punched in the face, before the keys were taken from him and the car was driven off, with him left at the side of the street.

Minutes later, the vehicle collided with a garden wall on Montrose Avenue.

No one was injured.

The victim received cuts and swelling to the face.

Detective Constable Kevin Telford from Wigan CID said: "The victim is in poor health and this incident has understandably affected him deeply. Taraldsen took advantage of his victim's vulnerability and put his through a terrifying ordeal for his own selfish gain."