Man jailed for Kidnap & Trying to Force Victim to Steal

Jeetinder Singh, aged 33, of Gillingham, was jailed for three years and four months for his involvement in the kidnap and assault of a man who he later tried to force to rob a supermarket.

Duncan Bennett, aged 34, of Rochester, was jailed for three years and one month for his role in the terrifying incident.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the pair attacked the victim at an address in Gillingham.

The assault resulted in facial injuries, bruises to his body and a cut to the back of his neck.

The men then escorted the man into a car with the intention of forcing him to commit a robbery.

It was heard that the incident took place around 4 pm on February 9, 2019. Singh and Bennett drove to an address in East Court Lane where the victim was staying.

The reason for the attack was because Singh believed the victim owed him money.

After making their way into the property, the two men punched and kicked the victim, then forced him into the back of a car parked outside.

Singh told the man that he would have to earn the money he owed by robbing a supermarket.

They drove to a nearby supermarket where Bennett took the man to the entrance and waited outside for him.

Upon entering the supermarket, the victim alerted store security and the police were called.

Singh and Bennett were linked to the offences through a combination of CCTV, forensic evidence and witness accounts.

Both pleaded guilty to kidnap and assault.

PC Magnus McAuley, of Medway CID, was in charge of the case. He said:

“This must have been a terrifying ordeal for the victim. The injuries inflicted by Singh and Bennett were caused maliciously and with intent to cause serious harm.

“Singh and Bennett also thought that by using fear and intimidation they could force another person to commit a crime.”

“Thankfully, with the help of shop staff, the victim was able to escape and the pair have now been brought to justice.”

Jolene Wood, aged 34, of Maidstone, had been with Singh and Bennett during the offences. She also pleaded guilty to assault and received a 12-month suspended sentence.

Kent Live reported that on January 6, 2020, Singh was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. Bennett received a prison sentence of three years and one month.