A kidnapped man made a desperate escape by jumping from a first-floor window into a tree before running into the street, where he came across a passing police car by chance.
The man had been held captive and subjected to violence, threats and humiliation before seizing an opportunity to flee from a property in Lincoln.
The dramatic escape took place in July 2025, but CCTV footage was released after five people involved in the kidnapping were sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court.
Man held captive after being lured to property
The victim was initially lured to an address in Market Rasen on July 4, 2025, amid a dispute linked to a past relationship breakdown.
According to Lincolnshire Police, five people — Brad’Lee Ranyard, Nathan Gladwell, Jackson Nicholson, Craig Ranyard and Danielle Thompson — were involved.
The victim was repeatedly assaulted, threatened and humiliated during several hours of captivity. The abuse was also recorded on mobile phones by those involved.
The following day, he was forced into an Isuzu pickup and taken to a property on Portland Street in Lincoln, where he was held again.
Desperate leap brings unexpected rescue
At around 11.23 am, the victim spotted an opportunity to escape.
CCTV showed him climbing through a first-floor window and jumping into a nearby tree before reaching the ground and running towards the road.
At that moment, a marked Lincolnshire Police vehicle happened to turn into the street.
The victim ran towards the vehicle, stopped it and got into the back seat, pleading with officers for help. Police immediately recognised his distress and took him to safety.
Detective Constable Liam Henderson said the victim had shown “remarkable courage” by taking the opportunity to escape and described the ordeal as deeply distressing.
Police said the chance arrival of the marked vehicle “may have saved his life”.
Five people jailed over kidnapping
Two of the offenders, Brad’Lee Ranyard, 20, and Jackson Nicholson, 25, were each sentenced to nine years in prison for kidnap and false imprisonment.
Craig Ranyard, 42, received five years and three months, while Danielle Thompson, 38, was sentenced to four years and nine months. Nathan Gladwell, 36, received three years and seven months.
All five were also given indefinite restraining orders preventing them from contacting the victim and his family.
Police released the CCTV footage with the victim’s permission. His identity has been protected.
The case, according to investigators, highlights both the victim’s courage in making his escape and the importance of the police response that followed.