A VAN was parked with its doors facing stairs to an office to kidnap a man, a court heard as the prosecution closed its case .

The trial of three men accused of kidnapping and attacking a man in Basildon is reaching its conclusion.

The jury heard the man was allegedly hit over the head before being forced into a van in the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate and threatened over stealing a crop of cannabis.

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.

In his closing speech at Basildon Crown Court, Richard Kelly, prosecuting, said: “The van arrives and is manoeuvred so that the doors are by the staircase. Why did it do that?

“What was it to prepare itself for? Why did it take so long? Why didn’t it pull up to the green container where all the appliances were being kept? Why did it pull up to the staircases from the office? Why was it put into that position?

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“The prosecution say it’s because there was a plan afoot relating to him [the alleged victim].

“The van has been positioned in such a way that anyone coming out of the office can be brought down quickly and put into the van.”

Mr Kelly said the van had been lined with plastic on the inside, and that this was for the “sinister” reason of kidnap and assault.

The jury previously heard that the man had been bound with cable ties in the van while he was demanded to pay £10,000, before being thrown out near the A13, where he ran for help.

The trial continues.