Crieff man charged with extortion and abduction

Jan 22 2010 Strathearn Herald

THREE men, one from Crieff, have been accused of subjecting a couple to a terrifying ordeal in a bid to get them to hand over cash at a remote salvage yard near Perth.

They are alleged to have abducted 58-year-old Annabelle Hutchison and detained her against her will at Dalcrue Auto Salvage, Pitcairngreen, on November 17 last year.

They are also said to have brandished a hammer and axe at her and Gordon Barnes (57), then placed a polythene bag over his head and threatened to drown him in a nearby river.

Before the court were 42-year-old Isaac McPhee, of Sauchie Place, Crieff, and Thomas Blair (46), of Wyndford Road, Maryhill, Glasgow.

They made no plea after appearing in private and their cases were continued for further inquiries.

They were remanded in custody meantime.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of the third accused, Brian Blair (49), of Fingal Street, Glasgow.

Demanding

It is alleged that all three abducted Ms Hutchison and tied her wrists and ankles together before demanding that she reveal the whereabouts of cash at a cabin at the yard.

The trio are then said to have threatened her and Mr Barnes with further violence if the cash wasn’t handed over.

The charge alleges that she was pulled from a seat, falling to the floor, and she was forcibly dragged along the floor before they left her confined in the cabin, all in a bid to extort money from her.

The three accused are also alleged to have forcibly tied Mr Barnes wrists and ankles together, put the polythene bag over his hear and made demands for cash.

They are said to have placed a knife against his neck, threatened to kill him, and said that Ms Hutchison would be tortured if the cash wasn't handed over.

It is then alleged that they struck him on the head, dragged him outside to a river bank and threatened to drown him.

They then allegedly pulled him down the river bank and dumped him in the river before carrying him by his bindings back into the cabin, all in a bid to extort money from him.

The three are also accused of driving off in a Honda Accord after stealing items including a mobile phone iPod, a set of earphones and a phone.

McPhee also faced a catalogue of other charges, including one of extorting £18,000 from Thomas Allan Lawson at a house in Main Street, Methven, between October 28 and December 23 last year.

Apprehension

It is alleged that he put the man in a state of alarm and apprehension that he and members of his family would be subjected to violence.

McPhee is also accused of being concerned in the supply of heroin at addresses in Tulloch Place and Primrose Crescent, Perth, and being concerned in the supply of diazepam at houses in Perth and Methven.