Three north-east men, who acted like “1920s gangsters”, by abducting a man in Aberdeen in a bid to reclaim money owed to them have been spared jail.
Gary Milne, 19, Ross Alexander, 29 and Toms Garavins, 18, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to be sentenced for their botched attempt to take the law into their own hands by kidnapping Ethan Robertston on October 23.
The triumvirate took him into a BMW and drove it around various locations in the city while demanding that he phone his father to get the money handed over.
Their activities were halted at Shakes and Cakes on Sunnybank Road when police saw his father hand over the money and detained them.
Milne previously confessed to assault and abduction, Alexander admitted extortion and Garavins admitted to both charges.
But, following the verdict yesterday, Alexander claimed the situation had been “blown out of proportion” and he had bought Mr Robertson a McDonalds during the incident.
Representing Milne, defence agent Lynn Bentley revealed her client had gone to primary school with his victim and he felt guilty for having “failed a friend.”
On behalf of Alexander, solicitor Iain McGregor said he was a productive member of society who employed four people in his own business.
And representing Garavins, defence agent Liam Mcallister said his client was just 17 at the time, had no previous convictions but had “entered the criminal justice system at the highest end.”
Sheriff Jack Brown, who previously accused the three men of “acting like 1920s gangsters,” said while imposing a sentence: “This case from the outset was screaming out for a custodial sentence for the three of you.”
He said he had taken account of numerous factors such as the fact no weapon was used and that Mr Robertson had not been physically injured.
He concluded: “I have persuaded myself with some hesitation there is an alternative to a custodial sentence.”
He ordered Milne, of Cornhill Drive, to carry out 165 hours of unpaid work and placed him under supervision for two years.
He then said Garavins and Alexander will be under supervision for the same period and must carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.
Finally, he ordered Garavins to remain in his home on Laws Road in Kincorth between 7pm and 7am and that Alexander must stay in his property on Alexander Terrace between 8pm and 7am.
Speaking after the verdict, Alexander said he felt it had been “blown out of proportion”, but was grateful for the decision to spare him jail.
He claimed Mr Robertson borrowed £500 from Garavins which they were trying to reclaim.