A MAN who forced his friend into a car before threatening to tie him to a tree in a kidnapping has been jailed for more than five years.

Myles Howells, 22, of Partridge Way in Duffryn, Newport, frightened his friend Levi Roberts to the extent that he jumped out of the moving vehicle, before escaping by crossing six lanes of the M4.

Howells, who was found guilty of kidnapping following a three day trial, was sentenced to three years in prison for the offence at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, consecutive with two years and four months for a separate offence of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug, to which he previously pleaded guilty.

The trial heard Howells had been “great friends” with Mr Roberts, having known him for around 10 years, before the offence on January 19.

Mr Roberts owed Howells around £80, after he had borrowed around £140 at Christmas time, but the carpet fitter did not repay his friend by the agreed date earlier that week, the trial heard.

Howells “barged” into Xtreme Barbers in Commercial Street, Newport, before ordering Mr Roberts into a silver Mercedes outside. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said Mr Roberts felt he had “no choice” but to get in the car, knowing that Howells did kickboxing and would win in a fight.

Howells drove off at speed, with Mr Roberts held in detention in the car for around 10 to 15 minutes.

“While in the car you threatened to batter him and tie him to a tree,” said judge Lloyd-Clarke.

“The way you spoke was clearly very aggressive.”

Judge Lloyd-Clarke said Mr Roberts was in “genuine fear” of being tied to a tree when he jumped out of the Mercedes as it slowed to around 15 to 20mph for an approaching vehicle.

Mr Roberts told the trial he has nightmares and is still scared of Howells after the incident.

Gareth Morley, defending, said the length of detention was “brief” and extent of violence was “minimal”.

Howells, a carer for his parents, with a two-year-old daughter, had passed a level-three diploma in plumbing last September and was expecting to start work with British Gas, the court heard.

While on bail for the kidnapping, Howells was searched after being stopped by police in a Vauxhall Astra at around 2pm on February 11.

The court heard when he was searched police found four deals-worth of cocaine, worth a total of £160, concealed inside his body.

Text messages found on his mobile phone showed Howells had been selling drugs to his friends, to fund his personal drug use.