A couple who subjected a man to “severe humiliation” have been jailed.
Bradley Clayton and Chloe Sinton, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, forced their victim to strip and demanded £2,500.
Clayton threatened to stab the man and Sinton posted on Snapchat offering viewers “£10 to do whatever you want with him”.
Clayton, 24, was sentenced to four years in prison and Sinton, 22, to three years after they admitted false imprisonment and blackmail.
Carlisle Crown Court heard that the victim spent the weekend of September 30, 2022, in the company of the couple and there were no problems.
However, when the man returned home on October 2, he was almost immediately attacked with punches and stamps to the face.
The court heard that during his ordeal, which lasted more than five hours, Clayton threatened the man with a knife and vowed to stab him.
He and Sinton then demanded money after forcing their victim to strip except for his underwear.
The court heard that the victim was told to contact his father at some point.
Prosecutor Megan Cox said: “In the background of that call you can hear the following: ‘I’ve got your son. He’s been a silly boy. He’s naked. He owes me £2,500.’
After Clayton and Sinton, both from George Street, learned police had been called, their victim was released.
“Effectively torture the victim”
Clayton had a previous conviction for armed robbery as a juvenile after raiding a post office using a weapon.
Defender Sean Harkin said: “Fortunately there was no physical injury (to the man).
He added: “I accept a personal statement from the victim that he may experience some psychological trauma.”
Kim Whittlestone, from Sinton, spoke of chronic trauma in her past and noted that she was a vulnerable adult and subject to the influence of others.
During sentencing on Friday, Recorder Paul Hodgkinson concluded that the victim had been “effectively tortured” and subjected to “severe humiliation”, adding: “He must have been terrified.”
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