Fugitive kidnapper Martin Wolstenholme jailed after manhunt across Europe

A FUGITIVE at the centre of a Europe-wide manhunt has finally been jailed.

Martin Wolstenholme went on the run for 16 months after skipping bail early last year.

The 33-year-old was eventually arrested in Spain in May this year after his photograph was featured on the BBC show Crimewatch.

Now Wolstenholme has been jailed for six years and nine months for organising the kidnap of another man.

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Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard cash-strapped Wolstenholme orchestrated the kidnapping of Ali Demani in Newcastle in November 2010 because he believed the victim had cash to help pay his debts.

The court heard Mr Dewani was at home playing monopoly with friends when kidnapper David Wokoma knocked at his door.

David Bennett, prosecuting, said: "Wokoma asked if the man was Ali, grabbed him around the throat and forced him back in the flat. Wokoma claimed he owed him £4,000. He covered his face, cuffed his hands, and others in the flat."

The court heard Mr Demani was put into the footwell of a car and driven to a safe-house in York Street, Newcastle.

After about 10 minutes Mr Demani was told to call his brother. Threats were made to kill him unless money was received.

When it became clear no cash would be forthcoming Mr Demani was led from the flat and left close to a fence. He ran to find help.

He was able to point out the York Street flat which belonged to Wolstenholme's ex-girlfriend Sarah Gajewski.

Phone evidence showed a number of calls between Wolstenholme, Wokoma and co-defendant Fabian Williams.

The court heard Mr Demani was uninjured and no money was obtained.

Wolstenholme, of Bennett Place, Porthill, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap.

The court heard he was jailed for seven years in 2005 for kidnap and affray.

Peter McCartney, mitigating, said Wolstenholme found himself heavily in debt after trying to establish a business.

He said: "He was desperate to try to sort out these debts."

Judge Paul Glenn ordered Wolstenholme to serve six months from his previous sentence before starting this jail term.

He told the defendant: "You recruited David Wokoma to do your dirty work.

"He was very physically imposing and fearsome looking. Some very serious threats were made to that young man and he was terrified.

"You orchestrated the involvement of others – Sarah Gajewski and Fabian Williams. You were the organiser, the prime mover."

Wokoma, aged 26, of Birmingham, was jailed for six years after admitting kidnap. Williams, of Church Street, Silverdale, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting false imprisonment and was jailed for 12 months. Gajewski, aged 23, of York Street, Newcastle, was handed a three-month suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice.