Chip shop owner cleared of kidnapping vandal
The owner of a chip chop accused of kidnapping a boy who had spat at his customers has had all charges against him dismissed by a judge.
Nicholas Tyers, 46, and his son Lee Tyers, 20, a Royal Marine, chased after the 12-year-old boy after the window of their shop in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was smashed.
They put him in the back of their car and drove him back to the shop to call the police. But after flagging down a passing patrol car, they themselves were arrested, and charged with kidnapping.
Halting the trial yesterday, Judge John Dowse said that the case was not in the public interest and questioned the decision to prosecute.
He told Hull Crown court that the men had carried out a perfectly legal citizen's arrest, and said: "I raise the question of whether or not there are far more serious cases to bring?".
Nicholas Tyers, 46, and his son Lee Tyers, 20, a Royal Marine, chased after the 12-year-old boy after the window of their shop in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, was smashed.
They put him in the back of their car and drove him back to the shop to call the police. But after flagging down a passing patrol car, they themselves were arrested, and charged with kidnapping.
Halting the trial yesterday, Judge John Dowse said that the case was not in the public interest and questioned the decision to prosecute.
He told Hull Crown court that the men had carried out a perfectly legal citizen's arrest, and said: "I raise the question of whether or not there are far more serious cases to bring?".
Comment