Men jailed after kidnap and blackmail of Liverpool watch dealer

Three men have been sentenced for their roles in the kidnap and blackmail of a Liverpool watch dealer.

Connor Kenny, 20, Patrick Gray, 20, and Callum Walsh, 21, were sentenced today, Friday 2 October, at Liverpool Crown Court.

Meanwhile a fourth defendant, Anthony White, 22, will be sentenced in connection with his role in the crimes at a later date.

The victim attended an address on Dunkeld Close, Liverpool, on the evening of 28 March 2026 to deliver a watch after arrangements were made through his business’s Instagram account.

After knocking at the door, he was lured inside before being ambushed by masked men, forced to the floor, assaulted and bound with duct tape. 

The men repeatedly said: “We’re taking you,” before placing him in his own Ford Kuga and driving away while his girlfriend was ordered out of the vehicle.

The offenders took the victim to Hygeia Street, around 250 metres from Dunkeld Close, where he was kept overnight.

During the kidnapping, they used the victim’s phone to make repeated threats to his business partner, demanding watches, jewellery and later £10,000 in cash.

The calls included threats to shoot or seriously injure the victim unless the demands were met. His business partner received dozens of calls and followed instructions to leave a bag of watches at the Asda Breck Road car park, where surveillance officers later saw two males on scrambler bikes collect it and travel towards Hygeia Street.

At 6.43pm on 29 March 2026, armed officers entered the house on Hygeia Street and found the victim in a rear bedroom with minor injuries. Five defendants were arrested at the scene.

Searches of the address recovered items linked to the offence, including cable ties, gloves, duct tape, balaclavas, watches and jewellery. Officers also recovered digital evidence including mobile phones, an image of the victim taken during his captivity and internet searches relating to Dunkeld Close.

In interview, the defendants either gave no comment responses or denied involvement.

Kenny, Gray, Walsh and White were charged with conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail and conspiracy to commit fraud.

They all pleaded guilty at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on 29 April 2026.

Today, Gray received a prison sentence of eight years and three months; Walsh received a prison sentence of seven years and six months; and Kenny received a prison sentence of seven years and seven months.

Andrew Madden, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a terrifying and carefully planned offence in which the victim was deliberately targeted because of his business.

“The defendants used intimidation and violence to force others to hand over valuable property. The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Merseyside Police to build a strong case, and I hope today’s sentences provide some reassurance to the victim and to the wider business community.

“Kidnap and blackmail are extremely serious offences and those who take part in this type of organised criminality can expect to face the full force of the law.”