A GANG who kidnapped a man in Runcorn before beating him with a hammer have been jailed.

Chester Crown Court heard on Friday how David Lee, Christopher Lee, Matthew Lee and Jack Burns grabbed the 25-year-old on Windmill Hill Avenue East.

They bundled him into the back of a green van in the area between Delphfield and Tower Lane on May 1.

Once inside the van he was assaulted with Christopher Lee, aged 19, beating him with a hammer.

All three of the Lees live in Liverpool and are related to the victim’s girlfriend, the court heard.

He had gone to Runcorn to look for her following an argument and was kidnapped.

Police eventually stopped the van on Daresbury Expressway.

The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for bruising to his head, arms, shoulders and back.

Following their arrest, all four defendants pleaded guilty to kidnap.

Matthew Lee, aged 22, Jack Burns, aged 17, also of Liverpool, and Christopher Lee also pleaded guilty to ABH.

Christopher Lee denied using a hammer but was found guilty on July 30.

On Friday he was sentenced to 16 months in prison for kidnap and 30 months for ABH, to run concurrently.

Matthew Lee was jailed for 12 months for kidnap and 21 months for ABH, to run concurrently.

Jack Burns was sentenced to an 18 month youth rehabilitation order for kidnap, and the same again for ABH, to run concurrently.

He will also be electronically tagged for six months.

David Lee, aged 22, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for kidnap. He was acquitted of ABH.