TWO people have been cleared of an alleged kidnapping, after the judge directed there was “insufficient evidence” of their involvement.

Nigel Stoneman, 27, listed as of Duffryn, Newport and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were found not guilty by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday.

Myles Howells, 22, of Partridge Way in Duffryn, Newport, remains on trial for the alleged offence. Howells has pleaded not guilty.

The complainant, Levi Roberts, is said to have been “effectively frogmarched” out of Xtreme Barbers in Commercial Street, Newport, by Howells, who allegedly ordered him into a Mercedes outside.

Stoneman and the youth were inside the car but they played no part in the alleged kidnap. During the car journey, it is alleged Howells said Mr Roberts would “go missing” and that he would be tied to a tree.

Mr Roberts said he jumped out of the car as it was moving, before dodging across six lanes of traffic on the M4 near junction 27.

Gareth Morley, defending Howells, questioned Mr Roberts about crossing six lanes of the motorway in his cross-examination yesterday.

“That is nonsense, isn’t it?”, he said. But Mr Roberts replied: “I am telling you I crossed that motorway. I am sworn on oath and I would not lie.”

Mr Roberts said when Howells entered the barber shop, he directed Howells to take him to his aunt’s house where he would get money which he owed to Howells.

Mr Roberts owed Howells around £80, after he had borrowed around £140 at Christmas time, the court heard.

“You went in that car of your own volition,” Mr Morley said.

But Mr Roberts said he was forced because he was “intimidated”.

Mr Morley suggested Mr Roberts had ‘lied’ about jumping out of the car when it was moving, but the complainant maintained he had told the truth.

A police interview with Howells, after the alleged offence, was also read out in court yesterday.

Howells said Mr Roberts brought his toolbox into the back seat of the car, despite being asked to put it in the boot.

He denied making threats, or saying that Mr Roberts would be tied to a tree.

Directing not guilty verdicts, judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said she was satisfied neither Stoneman nor the youth participated in the alleged kidnap.

Proceeding