Four men charged with kidnap have walked free from Bradford Crown Court after the prosecution offered no evidence in their case.

Isa Ishtiaq, Luqman Saddique, Mason Atherton-Hughes, and Aron Heywood all pleaded not guilty to an incident on October 17 last year when a man was allegedly taken against his will on Ravenscliffe Road in Calverley.

However the individual, a foreign national, could not be found to give evidence at court today.

After reviewing the evidence prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh said there was “no realistic prospect” of a conviction.

Mr Ishtiaq, 20, in custody at HMP Doncaster but formerly of Woodhall Place in Bradford, Mr Saddique, 22, of Harrogate Place, Bradford, Mr Atherton-Hughes, 26, of Rycroft Avenue, Swinnow, Leeds, and Mr Heywood, 20, of Parkwood Road, Calverley, Pudsey, were all released.

All four had also been charged with possessing a machete on the night in question as well as going equipped for theft with a grinder, grinder discs, Stanley knife, torches, window punch, gloves, snoods and hats on September 19.

His Honour Judge Jonathan Gibson ruled to dismiss the case with not guilty verdicts in all matters and discharged the defendants.