A group of men have been jailed after they kidnapped a taxi driver and passenger at gunpoint.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim had picked up a man on August 24 last year.

They were then snatched a couple of hours and taken to Gateshead at gunpoint in the taxi after being boxed in by a Range Rover.

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Andrew Wright, Simon Walton and Joseph Henderson have now been jailed for their part in the offence, while Scott Haug will be sentenced at a later date.

Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said: "The men in the Range Rover were clearly expecting the men to be there. They had travelled from Chopwell to Jesmond to threaten and intimidate them.

"Mr Wright was in the driver's seat with a realistic firearm

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