Police hunt three fugitives who fled kidnap trial (From St Helens Star)

Police hunt three St Helens fugitives who fled kidnap trial

8:20am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News

THESE are the faces of the three men being hunted by detectives after skipping court bail while on trial for kidnap.

Stephen Duxbury, John Finney and Philip Moran absconded on Friday when a judge was due to sum up their case at Liverpool Crown Court.

They were convicted in their absence this week after a jury returned a guilty verdict to charges of kidnap and assault.

A crown court warrant has been issued for their arrest. The crimes related to an incident on October 6 last year when a 24-year-old man was dragged into a van on Morley Street, St Helens.

The kidnap, which followed a dispute over cannabis growing equipment, sparked a major police search after witnesses reported seeing him being abducted.

The man was assaulted before being released by his captors.

It was 24 hours before detectives managed to track down the victim to ensure his safety. A fourth offender Paul Anthony Tobin, 45, of Lambourne Grove, Parr, attended court for the entirety of the case and was found guilty.

However, he will not be sentenced until his co-defendants are captured. Police this week released pictures Duxbury, 36 of Francis Street, Sutton, Finney, 34 of Pennine Drive, Parr, and Moran, 37, St Helens.

Anyone who knows where the men are or with other information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.