A MAN was accused of stealing a “crop” from a gang before being kidnapped and attacked in a van, a court heard.

A trio of men are standing trial for allegedly kidnapping the man from the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate in Basildon, before kicking him out the van on the A13.

The 27-year-old victim was hit over the head and kidnap, where the accused allegedly demanded he hand over £10,000.

He claims he was thrown from the vehicle onto the A13.

Bradley Scates, 25, of St Peters Road, Canvey, Daniel Bellefontaine, 37, of Little Oxcroft, Basildon, and James Newman, 34, of Mill Lane, London, deny kidnap, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and blackmail.

The trial began at Basildon Crown Court, where the jury were shown the victim’s police interview on January 30, the day after the alleged incident.

The man, who had bandages over his right eye, said: “He [Scates] walked in and locked the door. That’s when my heart stopped.

“I said I was with my girlfriend at the weekend, and he said ‘no you wasn’t, you were taking my crop’.

“I fell on the floor, and I can’t really remember nothing.”

The man told officers he was hit over the head from behind.

He said: “He was saying to me ‘I want £10,000’. I said ‘let me out and I’ll give you anything’. I said I’ll give you money if you let me go.

“When they kicked me out on the back, I rolled on the floor and they drove around the corner and as it was dark I followed them, but in the bushes a bit. I thought they were going to run me over.

“I looked to my left and saw cars running by. I was s******* myself, I just wanted someone to stop.

“I literally jumped onto a car. I said ‘stop, stop, stop, please’, I pounded on the door and I jumped in.

“I just wanted to get into that car and then I was safe.”

The trial continues.