Three people lured a unsuspecting man to a flat before holding him against his will, tying his hands together and threatening him.
Alex Jones, Sarah Nixon and Scott Stokes attacked the 28-year-old victim in what was described as a 'terrifying ordeal'
At 12.30am on September 15, the victim had received a text message from Scott Stokes reading: "You don’t need to break my legs I’m cutting my throat."
Concerned for his welfare, the victim decided to make a visit to Stoke's flat on West Street in Congleton.
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He entered the third floor flat at around 7.15am that morning but had found Stokes lying on the bed uninjured.
It was at that moment that Alex Jones and Sarah Nixon entered the flat, and all three of them began attacking the victim.
The group then tied his hands together, lay him on the sofa and threatened him, telling him to admit he was dealing drugs and had previously stolen Nixon's car.
Fearing he would be seriously harmed, the victim told the group he had money he could give them, but needed a taxi to collect it.
The callous trio ordered a taxi and led the victim out of the flat and down to the ground floor to exit the building.
As they did so, he managed to escape and sought help from a member of the public who immediately called the police.
Nixon was arrested at the scene, with Jones and Stokes captured a short while later after they ran away from the area.
The trio were all charged with and pleaded guilty to a false imprisonment.
They were sentenced at Chester Crown Court last Friday, January 21.
Alex Jones, 31 of Banky Fields and Sarah Nixon, 40, of Bradwell Grove were both handed 22 months behind bars.
Scott Stokes, 26, of West Street, will spend 18 months in prison.
All three were also order to pay £156 victims surcharge.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Jamie Roberts, said: “This was an absolutely terrifying ordeal and I welcome the sentences handed to the defendants.
“The victim believed that Stokes was his friend went to the flat to make sure he was OK.
“Little did he know that he had been set up and was about to be ambushed and assaulted by three people who he trusted.
“Thankfully he was able to escape before he came to serious harm, although the outcome could have been far worse.”
