Two Rotorua men have been jailed for their part in kidnapping and assaulting a teenager over a drugs-related argument.
Benjamin Sweeney, who was 19 at the time, was placed in a freezer, locked in a cupboard and put in a wardrobe and a car boot after an argument with an associate about drugs.
Michael Russell John Barker, 29, was sentenced to seven years in prison and Blaise Quentin Smith, 34, to three years and two months in relation to the incident.
Barker had pleaded guilty to one charge of kidnapping and one charge of injuring with intent to injure. He was also found guilty by a jury of another charge of kidnapping, another charge of injuring with intent to injure and one count of aggravated robbery.
Smith pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping on the first day he was meant to face trial.
The pair were sentenced by Judge David McKegg in the Rotorua District Court yesterday.
Another Rotorua man, Jimmy Mathew Wells, 27, has already been dealt with by the courts for his part in the offending.
During the 36-hour ordeal on May 27, 2010, Mr Sweeney was robbed of his cellphone, credit card, PIN number and a small amount of cash.
Judge McKegg said the incident was quite a violent kidnap and detention, which was sparked after an argument with Wells.
He described how Barker was present throughout the incident and assaulted Mr Sweeney.
"When you arrived at the flat, Mr Barker, Mr Wells was holding a knife to the face of Mr Sweeney and in seeing that, you joined in with the abuse and detention," he said.
"You became the second face of violence that night."
Mr Sweeney was forced into a cupboard under the kitchen sink.
"He was just able to get his body into there," Judge McKegg said.
"He was kept in there for several hours and forced to give up possessions including his cellphone, credit card, PIN number and cash."
After being locked in the cupboard, Mr Sweeney was forced into a small chest freezer with a fridge placed on top.
At one point Mr Sweeney was taken to a Clayton Rd house where he was allowed to shower and was given some food. Judge McKegg said Smith then went to the Clayton Rd house and forced Mr Sweeney into the boot of his car and took him back to the original house.
"He had no option but to go with you," Judge McKegg said.
"You became another face of violence."
The men then demanded Mr Sweeney take them to another house.
"Fortunately the partner of the man you were looking for showed spirit and courage and rang the police and told you what she had done."
Judge McKegg said while he was being detained, Mr Sweeney thought he was going to die.
As a result of the attack, Mr Sweeney suffered sliced fingertips, cuts to his wrists, ear and head. He had bruising across his body, a sore knee, tender back and grazes and bruising to his feet.
"He was pretty comprehensively tortured during this detention, he said.
"If there is not permanent physical damage there will be long-standing psychological effects of such and ordeal."