Armed officers arrested an innocent family following a fake kidnapping claim that turned out to be completely fabricated. Ricki Kendall, also known as Curry, falsely reported to the police that he witnessed individuals wearing balaclavas and armed with a machete dragging a man into a house in Newcastle. This deceitful claim led to a dramatic armed police response at the family’s home, where they were taken into custody for 15 hours on December 30 last year.
The family was taken by surprise as they sat down for a meal only to be confronted by armed officers outside their home. The situation escalated quickly as one family member opened the door to find themselves being ordered to the ground at gunpoint by an officer. The false report made by Kendall prompted a thorough investigation by the police, including a search through CCTV footage which revealed no evidence to support his claims. Moreover, no weapons were found in the house, and no other reports of such an incident were made.
During the court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Kendall stuck to his fabricated story even when confronted with the lack of evidence. The police estimated that 72 hours of police time were wasted on this hoax, amounting to a cost of £4,140. One of the victims shared in a statement the emotional toll the incident had taken on them, highlighting how they were unfairly targeted and faced racial slurs in the aftermath. Another family member expressed the ongoing trauma they experience, including flashbacks triggered by sirens and damage caused to their property during the arrest.
In sentencing Kendall for perverting the course of justice and a subsequent robbery, the judge acknowledged his mental health issues but condemned his actions, which wasted police resources and caused distress to the innocent family. Kendall received a total prison sentence of 53 months for his crimes.
This incident sheds light on the serious consequences of false reports to the police, highlighting the impact it can have on individuals and the strain it puts on law enforcement resources. It serves as a cautionary tale on the importance of verifying information before making such claims to authorities, to avoid unnecessary harm and trauma to innocent parties.