Oswestry woman uses car as blockade to foil kidnap plot
A brave woman who used her car as a blockade to delay an attempted kidnap in a Shropshire town has today spoken for the first time about how the dramatic incident unfolded.
Loraine Duncan, 50, put herself in danger as she used her own vehicle to block the getaway car of a gang which was trying to kidnap a woman and her three children in Oswestry in March last year.
The woman and children had fled to the town to live at the woman’s refuge.
Despite being threatened with a crowbar and faced with a dangerous situation, Mrs Duncan managed to delay the kidnap long enough to allow other people to call emergency services.
Although the gang managed to get away with the woman and children in a second car, police tracked them down and the three defendants were jailed for a total of more than 17 years for conspiracy to kidnap.
Now, Mrs Duncan, who works at the town’s orthopaedic hospital, has been presented with a High Sheriff’s award for her bravery in trying to stop the kidnap.
Speaking at the award presentation at Shrewsbury Crown Court, she said it never crossed her mind to drive on and ignore what was happening.
She said: "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 on Wednesday.
