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Friday brought closure for a cryptocurrency investor who endured months of torture and extortion by a gang in the UK. The culprits have been convicted and sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to prison terms for their crimes which included kidnapping, false imprisonment, and assault.
The victim’s nightmare began in January 2023, when he was first approached at his home and coerced into transferring £100,000 ($124,152) in cryptocurrency to gang member Scott Armstrong under threat of violence. The intimidation continued later that month when David Povey, armed with a knife, forced the victim to hand over additional funds.
In October 2023, the gang’s aggression intensified. Gary Edwards lured the victim to a flat, subjected him to a night of physical abuse, and kept him locked in a cupboard. Kane Godiff escalated the threats, warning of death if the victim failed to pay. After receiving the money, they released him, only to attack again days later, inflicting further threats and violence.
The series of assaults culminated on November 30, 2023, when Edwards kidnapped the investor at a friend’s house, leading to the final incident that prompted an anonymous call to the police on December 2, 2023. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim with burn marks and bruises, alongside evidence of the gang’s arsenal of weapons.
Justice was served on January 30, with the sentencing of Jonathan Newns to 20 years in prison for multiple charges including attempted robbery and possession of a firearm. Povey also received a 20-year sentence for similar offenses. Luke Johnson, Edwards, Godiff, Karl Johnson, and Armstrong received varying terms for their involvement in the criminal activities.
The case highlights the increasing danger faced by cryptocurrency investors, with over $1.1 billion extorted by ransomware gangs in 2023. In a related incident, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France on January 21 and released the following day after a ransom demand in cryptocurrency.
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