Couple jailed for keeping vulnerable man prisoner in his Cambridge home
Zoe Smith and Shane Rowe barricaded the man inside for more than twelve hours
Two drug users who kept a man with mobility issues barricaded in his own flat for more than twelve hours have been jailed.
39-year-old Zoe Smith and 39-year-old Shane Rowe visited the man, who was known to them, at his home in Dennis Road, Cambridge, at about 7pm on 22nd February last year.
The man opened the door and the pair rushed inside and blocked his door using a table from inside the property.
At about 1am the following morning, the man tried to get up from his sofa but was told he "wasn't going anywhere" and was punched repeatedly to the face.
Violent behaviour by Rowe was spurred on by Smith, who encouraged his anger.
The ordeal continued for a further eight hours, until 9am, when the couple moved the table away from the door and left to buy drugs.
Once he was sure they had left, the panicked man fled to his neighbours for help.
So as not to arouse suspicion, he returned to his home, and a short while later Rowe and Smith also returned.
Police were not far behind, and at 10am knocked on the door.
The victim managed to open the door despite being shouted at by Rowe.
Smith jumped out of the window and Rowe also managed to escape.
Afterwards, the man noticed his wallet and phone had been taken.
The man confided in officers what had happened and said he lived in fear of the couple.
Rowe, of Crosfield Court, Cambridge, and Smith, of College Close, Edmonton, London, were later arrested and, in police interview, denied the offences and otherwise answered no comment.
Both stood trial and were found guilty by jurors of false imprisonment and theft, with Rowe also being found guilty of assault by beating.
The pair were sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 9th October, where Rowe was jailed for eight years and Smith was sentenced to five years behind bars.
Both were also given indefinite restraining orders preventing them from contacting the victim in any way.
DC Jack Sillince, who investigated, said: "I can only imagine the terrifying ordeal the victim faced, and the fear that he felt for more than twelve hours when he was kept prisoner in his own home.
"Smith and Rowe used his vulnerabilities and mobility issues to their advantage, and I hope their prison sentences give them chance to reflect on their appalling behaviour.
"No-one should ever be treated this way and we will do all we can to bring those who act so violently and threateningly to justice."