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Jail for pair who robbed man in kidnap ordeal

The victim tried to escape from a car after being punched and held down while they demanded his wallet, phone and PIN, a court heard

[Mason Senior and James Kershaw]

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Mason Senior and James Kershaw(Image: Humberside Police)

A terrified man desperately tried to escape from a car after a violent thug repeatedly punched him while an accomplice held him down by his wrists during the nasty kidnapping ordeal in Hornsea. The ringleader later "stomped on" the victim's head after he managed to stumble out of the car, Hull Crown Court heard.

Mason Senior, 25, of Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and James Kershaw, 25, of Haggitt Grove, Beverley, but both recently in custody on remand, admitted robbery on April 18 last year. Senior also admitted kidnap.

Sophie Lamb, prosecuting, said that a man was near Morrisons in Hornsea when a car pulled up and Senior, who was in the back, shouted: "Get in the car." Kershaw was the front seat passenger.

The man was wary and nervous. Senior demanded his wallet, his phone and the PIN. He repeatedly punched him in the head and face while they were in the back of the car and Kershaw turned round and held his wrists and legs to restrain him.

Senior took his mobile phone and Kershaw grabbed his house key. The man managed to get the car door open and wrestled the two of them to escape from the vehicle.

"He got out and stumbled and fell over," said Miss Lamb. Senior "stomped on" his head and punched him several times while the victim was on the ground. Kershaw stayed in the car.

The man was saying: "Stop, stop." Senior told him that he wanted everything out of his house and his money. He demanded the PIN for the phone and the man was forced to ring a friend and tell him to break into the house and get money.

Senior told the victim to get back in the car. He was later told: "You were lucky we haven't got a weapon." The man later opened the door and tried to escape.

Kershaw shouted: "Grab him" and Senior put the man into a headlock. The victim's legs were swinging and sticking out of the car. Kershaw turned round and tried to hold his legs and wrists again.

Senior punched him and the driver said: "Just let him go. Let him go." The man was saying: "Help, help" and was wrestling with Senior and Kershaw.

He eventually managed to get out and went to the nearby Tesco in Hornsea to summon help. He suffered a black eye and a swollen face.

Senior also admitted a separate Leeds offence of affray on January 8, 2024, involving throwing a punch, which missed, at a man after telling him: "I'm going to stab you. I'm going to kill you." The man was left petrified.

He also admitted an offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm in Hull on February 6 last year. He punched a man after an exchange of words, breaking his jaw and leaving blood coming out of his mouth.

Senior had convictions for five previous offences, including wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm from 2021, when he was locked up fo three years.

He had convictions for burglary and two of affray. Kershaw had a conviction for burglary in November 2021.

Matthew Stewart, mitigating, said that Senior claimed that he went to buy cannabis from the robbery victim but there was a dispute about it. Senior completely overreacted.

"He is remorseful for his actions and wishes to apologise to the victim," said Mr Stewart. "He did not have any weapons with him. He knows that his actions in turning to violence are completely unacceptable."

Oliver Shipley, representing Kershaw, said that the robbery was undeniably serious. "There is no attempt to minimise what's happened," said Mr Shipley. "He is remorseful."

Unemployed Kershaw used minimal force to hold down the victim in the car by his wrists. He had shown immaturity and he was impulsive after making a string of poor life choices and coming under negative peer influences.

"He has made the terrible decision to smoke cannabis," said Mr Shipley. "He has demonstrated a real willingness to change."

Senior was jailed for five years after being branded a dangerous offender. He will be on extended licence of three years after his release from prison. Kershaw was jailed for three years.

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