Men jailed over extortion attempt

Two heavies called in to extort payment for a $5500 drug debt from a slow-paying customer have been jailed.

They were both convicted of kidnapping and blackmailing the man, who was forced to hand over his car as payment one night last June.

James Arthur Mathew William Brown, an unemployed 43-year-old, had also admitted intentionally injuring the victim by assaulting him with a length of timber.

In the High Court at Christchurch, Justice John Fogarty told Brown: "You have a history of violence and I have no doubt that you were selected by the drug dealers because of that history, knowing that you had the capability and willingness to do this task.

"This was a cold-blooded infliction of violence," said the judge.

Also before the court was Trinity Elijah Duffy, a 26-year-old unemployed man from suburban Burwood, who had been there when the victim was confronted, put in a car, and repeatedly punched on a trip across the city.

He was not present when the man was attacked with the piece of wood.

The victim needed hospital treatment, including five stitches to his head, and had bruising to his face and legs. The 10cm by 5cm thick piece of timber was broken in the assault.

Defence counsel David Ruth said Brown was keen to attend a rehabilitation course and the victim and his family had nothing to fear by way of repercussions or retribution.

He said Duffy's pre-sentence report supported the idea that there had been a marked change in his life. He had been a model prisoner while in custody.

The pair had pleaded guilty before a scheduled trial.

Justice Fogarty said Brown had a deplorable criminal history including assault with intent to injure in 1994 and 2006, and intentional injuring in 2003. He noted Brown took full responsibility for his actions and had stated he wished to change his ways on completion of the sentence.

Brown thanked the judge when he was given his three year four month jail term.

Duffy was jailed for two years 10 months.

- NZPA