Police seek van used in abduction of Barnsley man

Three men attacked a 45-year-old Barnsley man in his hone in Strafford Walk, Dodworth, in March, before he was bundled into a vehicle and driven to Scotland, where he was dumped after being shot.

Police Scotland say the victim may never be able to walk again unaided after being found with gun shot wounds to his knees in East Kilbride.

Detectives issued E-fits of three men wanted over the incident earlier this week, and today released a CCTV image of a transit van which may have been involved in the abduction of the victim.

They have also released a photograph of the victim’s BMW estate car, which was taken from home during the abduction.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Boyd, who is leading the investigation, said: “The response from the public following our appeal has been encouraging and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have come forward with information which the enquiry team are working on as we speak.

From our enquiries, we understand that the vehicle which is believed to have been involved is a silver Ford Transit van, with the registration plate SP61 LJK. This vehicle is believed to have transported the victim from his home in Barnsley where he was abducted and then left in Stewartfield, East Kilbride.

“In addition, I believe the victim’s car was taken from his home in Dodworth by the people involved in the abduction. This car has never been found. It is quite distinctive and my team of officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen this vehicle around this time or at any point since the incident.

“It is a black BMW 3 series estate, with a distinctive red leather interior. This is quite unusual and may have attracted attention from the public locally or by anyone involved in the automobile industry.

“Neighbours in Dodworth in particular may have found it unusual that the car wasn’t outside the house for a while.

“As a priority, I need help from the public to trace both vehicles and would ask anyone who recognises the descriptions or the registration to get in touch.

“Someone may have seen the van on its journey from Barnsley to East Kilbride and I’d urge them to come forward as soon as possible. We need to piece together that vehicle’s movements between Barnsley and East Kilbride, and we need to find out where that vehicle is now.

“Today we have issued a CCTV image of the van and we believe that at the time this was taken the victim was in the back, being subjected to sustained attacks and violence by his captors, before being driven to East Kilbride and shot in the middle of a residential area in broad daylight. To reiterate, we do believe that this attack was targeted and was not a random assault.

“It is imperative we trace those responsible and I would again ask for the help from the public.”