Man kidnapped girl and attacked her with hammer

A MAN who kidnapped an 18-year-old girl and attacked her with a hammer hurled abuse at a judge as he was jailed for 16 years.

Adam Sargent’s expletiveladen outburst came as he was handed an extended sentence for tricking the young woman in to his home and subjecting her to the terrifying ordeal.

She was gagged and forced to take photos of herself on a mobile phone before he hit her a number of times over the head with the hammer.

Sargent also held a knife to her neck before she managed to escape and run to a nearby supermarket.

Police eventually found 30-year-old Sargent in the loft of his home in Elm Road, Stratford.

He was arrested, charged and found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, false imprisonment and criminal damage following a trial.

He was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Warwick Crown Court on Friday - with an initial 12-year sentence having a further four years added on as the judge, Recorder Edward Coke, concluded that Sargent was “dangerous”.

He had previously served eight years in prison for an “unprovoked attack” on a man in Coventry, which saw him punch and kick his victim, as well as hitting him over the head with a bottle.

Upon sentencing, Recorder Coke said: “There’s no doubt from hearing her evidence that this was a terrifying experience and sustained and repeated.

“She has to walk past the house every day - a daily reminder of what occurred.

“I come to the conclusion that she has suffered psychological harm and such harm that it’s causing her great distress.”

As he finished his sentencing remarks, Sargent stormed around the dock and hurled abuse at the judge, and added: “Sixteen years for what? This is my life we are talking about. What about my kids in this?”

The court heard Sargent asked the 18-year-old girl in to his home on April 17, 2016, saying that his partner wanted to ask her about a job where she worked.

Once inside he grabbed her around the neck and gagged her with a cloth, before making her take pictures of herself on a mobile phone.

He sent the pictures to people in an attempt to prove he was capable of retribution over money he had not been paid.

Sargent then grabbed a hammer and “inflicted blows - she was hit three or four times”, Recorder Coke said.

After she had been allowed to clean herself up, Sargent handed her a key to the back door and said she could leave.

However, he then grabbed her by the throat again, this time so tightly that she had difficulty breathing.

The victim picked up a knife to defend herself, but Sargent grabbed it from her and held the tip against her throat.

They eventually left the house together, with Sargent stashing the knife in the waistband of his trousers, before the teenager managed to get free and raise the alarm.

The court was told of Sargent’s criminal record, which includes nine convictions for 15 offences such as criminal damage, common assault, robbery and aggravated vehicle taking, as well as the attack in Coventry.

Antonie Muller, speaking in mitigation, said that during Sargent’s eight-year stint in prison he was turned down for parole every year.

Following his eventual release, he was, however, compensated around £6,000 for being held for such a long sentence.

Mr Muller said that Sargent has “real illnesses” including regressive disorders and ADHD, and “none of that was treated during his incarceration or catered for on his release”.

Sargent will serve twothirds of his sentence in prison before he is even considered for parole.

If he is released, the rest of the sentence will be served on licence.