The Dark Conspiracy of Two Cousins in a Shocking Kidnap and Torture Case

Two cousins have been jailed after taking part in a violent kidnapping that left a young man with life-changing injuries in Birmingham, England.

Miles Blakeney and Luke Hazell, both aged 37, were involved in the attack, which took place on the evening of 21 January 2023 in Lozells.

According to investigators, at around 8pm a Land Rover pulled up on Anglesey Street. A group of men wearing balaclavas jumped out, chased the victim—who is in his 20s—and forced him into the vehicle. They removed his coat and placed a cover over his head.

The victim was then driven to a flat approximately two miles away in Edgbaston, where he was held captive and tortured for several days.

Shortly after the abduction, a relative contacted police to report the kidnapping. The victim later managed to call another family member from a withheld number, sounding distressed and fearing for his life.

During the call, he said: “They have kidnapped me. They want money. They want three million pounds.”

The case shocked the local community due to the extreme level of violence involved. Authorities confirmed that the victim suffered severe injuries with long-term consequences.

Following a detailed investigation, those responsible were identified, arrested, and brought to justice.

Luke Hazell

Further details revealed the horrifying ordeal the victim endured after being abducted.

In the early hours of the following day, one of the men guarding him fell asleep, giving the victim a chance to attempt an escape. He tried to fight back, striking his captor with a vodka bottle, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Over the following days, the violence escalated. The victim was repeatedly tied up and subjected to torture, including having boiling water poured over him.

He was eventually dumped naked and severely injured on a street shortly before 10pm on 26 January. A member of the public discovered him and immediately raised the alarm.

A detailed investigation by the Major Crime Unit uncovered crucial evidence, including mobile phone data, vehicle movements, and DNA analysis. This led to the identification of Luke Hazell, who arranged the kidnapping, and Miles Blakeney, who was responsible for the flat where the victim was held.

Investigators also discovered messages between the two men discussing earlier attempts to kidnap the victim. In one exchange, Blakeney asked, “Did you go there?”, to which Hazell replied, “They waited for the geezer, will try again tomorrow.”

In January, both men—Hazell, from Dovedale Road, and Blakeney, from Ashley Close, Birmingham—were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, blackmail, and wounding with intent.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 27 January, Hazell was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Blakeney received a 10-year sentence.

Miles Blakeney

Detective Inspector Francis Nock, from the Major Crime Unit, described the attack as a deeply disturbing case of prolonged violence.

“This was a horrific ordeal for the victim, who was left with life-changing injuries after being held against his will and effectively tortured over a sustained period,” he said.

“The gang was willing to use extreme violence, and their victim will carry the impact of this for the rest of his life.

“While neither Miles Blakeney nor Luke Hazell physically carried out the initial abduction, Blakeney was present at the flat when the victim arrived, and Hazell later attended the address after an attempted escape, where he personally inflicted further injuries.”

Det Insp Nock added that the case required extensive investigative work, including detailed analysis of mobile phone data, vehicle tracking, and witness evidence, which ultimately led to the convictions.

The case forms part of Operation Target, a 24/7 initiative led by West Midlands Police to tackle serious and organised crime across the region.

Authorities say the operation focuses on dismantling criminal networks involved in firearms, drug trafficking, money laundering, and exploitation.