A father and son used blue lights on their vehicle to pretend to be police officers before abducting a victim.

James Ball senior, aged 37, and his son, James Ball junior, 18, were in a car tailing a taxi when they assaulted the man inside. Ball senior forcibly removed the man from the taxi and forced him into their car in Leek, near Stoke-on-Trent. The son then hit the victim’s head with a dart, causing bleeding, while his father continued the attack.

The frightening incident occurred on March 10, concluding when Ball Senior admitted his mistake and ordered the victim to leave.

According to Prosecutor Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, the Vauxhall with flashing blue lights deceived the taxi driver into stopping, believing it was the police. Ball Senior, wearing a hi-vis jacket, approached the taxi, forcibly removed the passenger, and dragged him into the Vauxhall, repeatedly assaulting him.

Ball senior’s erratic driving instilled fear in the victim, who endured multiple assaults, including attempts by Ball junior to hit him. The younger Ball struck the man’s head with a dart, causing bleeding.

Eventually, Ball senior acknowledged his error and released the victim, who suffered injuries and fear. Both men, residing on Beatty Road, Leek, admitted to the kidnapping charges. Ball junior confessed to assault causing bodily harm, while Ball senior accepted impersonating a police officer. Ball senior received a three-year prison sentence, while his son was imprisoned for 27 months.

Representing Ball senior, Steve Hennessy described him as a reliable family man whose behavior was uncharacteristic. Kelly Cyples, representing James Ball junior, asserted the incident was unplanned, with the son not aware of any motive. The judge, Richard McConaghy, highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the planned elements evident in the use of the hi-vis jacket and blue lights.