Oswestry heroine used car to block gang in bid to foil terrifying kidnapping

Loraine Duncan, 50, put herself in danger as she used her own vehicle to block the getaway car of a gang.

Now she has received a bravery award for her actions, which helped police rescue a terrified woman and her three children.

Mrs Duncan spoke for the first time about her heroism in the drama.

Despite being threatened with a crowbar, she managed to delay the kidnap long enough for police to be alerted.

Although the gang managed to get away with the woman and children in a second car, police tracked them down.

Three defendants are now serving a total of more than 17 years for conspiracy to kidnap.

Mrs Duncan, who works at the town's orthopaedic hospital, has been presented with a High Sheriff's award.

She said it never crossed her mind to drive on and ignore what was happening, adding: "One of the men had a crowbar and it was then that I realised something was very wrong. I saw the lady being manhandled and I thought if I could block their car it may stop them.

"I have got a daughter and this lady is somebody's daughter so it never crossed my mind to move on and not get involved. I just thought if I could help in any small way I should.

"I know I did the right thing. It was a very small part of a big thing. They were very brave people that were out there – I was in the security of my car.

"For me, I was not brave – they were the brave people. I was most concerned about the lady and the children. I was pleased I was able to help in my small way.

"It is a proud day for me and my family. My mum has just been taken into hospital but she said I must come along. I am proud of what I did but it was a small part in a bigger thing."

Mrs Duncan was presented with a certificate and £250 for her courageous effort during a ceremony conducted by Judge Peter Barrie and Mrs Holmes.

Three men, Mohammed Anser Khan, of Whitehall Road, Tipton, Muserat Khan, of Greets Green Road, West Bromwich, and Ateek Khan, of Oak Road, West Bromwich, all admitted conspiracy to kidnapping at Shrewsbury Crown Court and were jailed.

It was just a normal Friday afternoon, with the school run in full swing.

But events were about to take a dramatic and very sinister turn in Oswestry town centre, almost exactly a year ago today.

A gang of men – who were later jailed for more than 17 years – tried to bundle a woman and her three children into a car before speeding off.

Three men had travelled from the West Midlands to bring terror to Shropshire.

Mohammed Anser Khan, of Whitehall Road, Tipton, Muserat Khan, of Greets Green Road, West Bromwich, and Ateek Khan, of Oak Road, West Bromwich, all admitted conspiracy to kidnapping at Shrewsbury Crown Court in August.

Police officers described the attack, at around 4pm on March 4 last year, as "completely unjustified and terrifying" for the woman and children.

But the men were captured thanks in part to the heroic role played by a passer-by, who has now been awarded a highly prestigious High Sheriff's Award.

Loraine Duncan, 50, used her car as a blockade to the getaway car.

Although the victims, who have not been named due to legal reasons, were forced into a second vehicle outside Griffin Courtyard in Leg Street, Oswestry, Judge Peter Barrie said during the award presentation the role of Mrs Duncan was central to delaying the gang and allowing police to be "on their tail".

The vehicle was driven off before later being stopped by officers in Shrewsbury.

Detective Sergeant Lee Holehouse, from West Mercia Police, said: "This case involved the kidnap of a woman and three children by a group of people who clearly had no regard for their welfare or the law.

"This was a completely unjustified, terrifying incident for them."

Mrs Duncan was presented with a certificate and £250 by the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Christine Holmes.

Mrs Holmes said: "It was an extremely brave act.

"It is so nice for people to stand up for the community and that is what she did. She did not pass by.

"She says she is not very brave but she is. You would know when you are putting yourself in danger but she knew it was the right thing to do and she did it.

"I am incredibly proud to recognise what she has done. I hope she realises how much we appreciate it. If it encourages others to do the same then great."

Mohammed Khan was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the conspiracy, Muserat Khan got five years and nine months, and Ateek Khan was handed a five-and-a-half year sentence.

Judge Barrie, during the presentation of the High Sheriff's Award, praised the courage shown by Mrs Duncan. He said: "It was just after school picking up time and Oswestry town centre was fairly busy when something happened. It was really completely unexpected for everybody going about their daily business which included you driving along in your car.

"One of them was armed with a metal bar. There was a great deal of shouting and threatening behaviour. You drove past and saw this was happening and you parked your car so it blocked in one of the cars they were trying to use to load up the lady and her children to drive them away.

"That only made them more cross. I know there was really quite an ordeal going on and they were threatening you.

"You stood firm and you are to be congratulated as you were directly preventing a very serious abduction from taking place."