Overview

• James Ball senior was sentenced to three years and James Ball junior received 27 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
• Both pleaded guilty to kidnap, with the son admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the father admitting impersonating a police officer.
• On March 10 in Leek, a Vauxhall with blue flashing lights prompted a taxi to stop before Ball senior dragged a passenger from the cab and forced him into the car.
• The victim was repeatedly hit, including a dart strike to the head by Ball junior that caused a bleeding scalp wound, and he suffered additional scratches and shoulder pain.
• According to the court, Ball senior threatened further humiliation, told the taxi driver to “f*** off before you get arrested,” then ended the ordeal by saying he had mistaken the victim for someone else.