- The criminals started targeting the victim in January 2023
- Investigators discovered that the defendants attempted to steal hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of cryptocurrency from the victim through violence, kidnapping, and false imprisonment
- When they appeared in court, 24-year-old Jonathan Newns of Whitebeam Close, Salford, was convicted of two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, kidnapping, and gun possession
Seven people have been sentenced to a combined 76 years in prison for assault, kidnapping and stealing some £100,000 in cryptocurrency from a single victim. A Manchester Crown court in the United Kingdom found them guilty and sentenced them.
The criminals started targeting the victim in January 2023. According to the police, on December 2, 2023, they received an anonymous call reporting concerns for welfare at a flat in Irlam.
When police arrived, they noticed a man—later identified as Karl Johnson—running from the address. Once inside, they found a victim who asked the officer, "Can you take me with you," explaining that he was brought to the property against his will with a bag over his head.
When police searched the address, they discovered electrical cables and a dressing gown strap that had been tied to the bed, where he claimed to have been violently beaten and restrained.
In addition, the victim had bruises from being struck by a weapon and a burn mark on his hand.
Investigators discovered that the defendants attempted to steal hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of cryptocurrency from the victim through violence, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. The investigation continued, and police found a working firearm, a magazine with three rounds of ammunition, an air pistol and imitation firearm, electrical cables, ropes, cable ties used to restrain the victim, knives, meat cleavers, a metal baseball bat, a machete, and a hammer.
When they appeared in court, per Warrington Guardian, 24-year-old Jonathan Newns of Whitebeam Close, Salford, was convicted of two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, kidnapping, and gun possession. He will spend 20 years behind bars. David Povey, 34, of Dalebeck Close in Whitefield, was convicted of attempted robbery, false imprisonment, robbery, and kidnapping. He will spend 20 years behind bars.
A 25-year-old man from Southway, Eccles, named Luke Johnson, was also convicted of two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, and two counts of kidnapping. He was jailed for 13 years and six months.
Gary Edwards, 47, of Cumberland Avenue, Cadishead, entered a guilty plea to robbery attempt. He will spend 10 years and two months behind bars.
Kane Godiff, a 33-year-old man without a permanent residence, entered a guilty plea to attempted robbery. He was jailed for 7 years and 5 months. Karl Johnson, 35, of Egret Drive, Irlam, entered a guilty plea to two charges of aiding and abetting robbery. He will spend 3 years in prison. Scott Armstrong, a 39-year-old man without a fixed address, entered a guilty plea to two charges of criminal property transfer. He will serve 2 years and 4 months behind bars.
How Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped for BTC ransom, released
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that on January 22, 2025, rumours spread that David Balland, the co-founder of Ledger, a cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer, had been kidnapped for Bitcoin ransom. The rumours caused panic about his safety and those close to him.
The rumour also sparked a flurry of reactions. Journalist Grégory Raymond later wrote around mid-morning New York time that Ledger co-founder Éric Larchevêque said, “Eric is safe. It’s the only thing I can communicate at the moment. I’m in the process of checking the information.”
