A YOUNG Wirral man was burnt on the face with a hot iron during a violent kidnap ordeal, a court has heard.

Andrew Iddon, 23, was assaulted by two women and five men after being driven to the home of one of the women.

His assailants yesterday all pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to their involvement in the incident and were warned by Judge Denis Clark that they face jail sentences.

In the dock were: Emma Francomble, 18, of Liscard Road; Kerry Edwards, 18, of Naples Road; William Cubbin, 21, of New Street; Paul Croke, 22, of Merton Road; Graham Boote, 29, of Church Road, all in Wallasey; David Keate, 19, of Seymour Street, Birkenhead, and Phillip Astle, 20, of Grosvenor Road, New Brighton.

Croke, who wielded the iron, pleaded guilty to causing grevious bodily harm to Mr Iddon with intent and his six companions pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Keate, Cubbin and Croke admitted kidnapping and Edwards pleaded guilty to false imprisonment.

Mr Mark Brown, prosecuting, said that Edwards and Francombe were at Iddon's flat and Edwards secured his leaving. He was then grabbed and driven to her flat, where he was kicked and punched.

Edwards was also instrumental in summoning Cubbin to her home after an initial altercation with Mr Iddon.

At her flat, she kicked him in the face in anger, but did not take part in any further assault.

"She was hysterical and shocked and could not stop the violence," said Mr Brown.

Francombe, for whom the victim had strong feelings, admitted that she kicked him once in the stomach.

Boote, who punched Mr Iddon, and Astle, were not involved in the earlier part of the incident but came to Miss Edwards's flat, said Mr Brown.

The victim went up to the judge's bench to show Judge Clark where the right hand side of his face was burnt with the iron during the November 13 incident.

The judge adjourned sentence until June 8. Cubbin, Keate and Croke were further remanded in custody and the others were remanded on bail, on condition they live at specified addresses other than their usual homes.

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