'Bush Tucker Trial' Death: Kidnappers Jailed

Two security guards who kidnapped a man from a music festival and dumped him on a dangerous road have been jailed over his death.

Gregory Maxwell, 33, and Brian Atkins, 49, joked they were taking their Australian victim Paul Wickerson, 32, on a "bush tucker trial" as they took him from the Brownstock festival in Essex.

It was a reference to the TV show I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here, which is based in the Australian jungle.

Mr Wickerson was handcuffed, put into a Land Rover and then left by the roadside where he was hit by up to four cars. He was found dead 20 minutes later.

The men were found guilty of kidnap following a two-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Maxwell was jailed for three years and Atkins was jailed for three years and nine months.

A court heard the pair found Mr Wickerson wandering the site at South Woodham Ferrers and decided to restrain him after becoming worried about his behaviour.

The geologist had become unwell earlier on the night of 31 August 2013 after drinking and taking a small amount of cocaine and ketamine. Friends looked after him but lost contact with him at 10pm.

Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said that during the brief journey, Atkins was heard to say that they were taking Mr Wickerson - who was wearing only a pair of shorts - for a "four-mile bush tucker trial".

Outside court, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett, who led the investigation, said: "People who attend festivals expect those responsible for the security to provide them with a safe environment to enjoy themselves.

"They do not expect them to manhandle them, to handcuff them and then dump them on a dangerous road. Mr Wickerson's death should not have happened.

"This verdict will send the clear message to those involved in the security for music festivals, that you will be held to account for your actions."

Mr Wickerson's parents, who live in Surrey, said he had travelled to the UK to visit them and to attend festivals with former college friends.

His mother, Maureen Wickerson, said: "Paul's charismatic nature, coupled with his very engaging and adventurous personality, made him many close friends around the world - many of whom were among the 200 people who joined family members at his funeral.

"His passion in life was the peace and absolute freedom of the mountains, snowboarding, and all that was related to his favourite pastime."