Kidnapper jailed

A young man who kidnapped, terrorised and threatened to kill a Rotorua student over a drug debt while high on magic mushrooms has been jailed.
Jedidiah Baden Sorrenson, 20, was sentenced to three years and four months' jail by Judge Joanna Maze in the Rotorua District Court on charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and supply of methamphetamine.
Sorrenson had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court had heard the Te Awamutu roof painter and a friend contacted by text message a 20-year-old Rotorua student and after demanding money from him, kidnapped him, held a 24cm knife to his throat, threatened to cut off his fingers and bury him in the bush.
They had also threatened to kill the victim's family if he didn't get them $100 he owed for a "P" debt, the court heard.
When Sorrenson and his mate stopped for fuel at a Tokoroa service station, the victim had managed to escape from the car, terrified for his life.
Crown Prosecutor Laura Owen said the victim had been fearful for his life throughout the premeditated ordeal.
"He lives his life differently now ... he had the honest belief they would harm him or kill him," she said.
Sorrenson's lawyer, Martin Hine, told the court his client struggled with alcohol and drug abuse and was intoxicated and high on magic mushrooms at the time of the incident.
"It was drug-related, drug-induced behaviour ... it turned ugly," he said.
Judge Maze said the incident must have been "terrifying" for the victim who had only managed to escape "by the skin of his teeth".
"You were utterly unpredictable in your behaviour," she said.
Judge Maze noted Sorrenson had been on bail awaiting sentence on burglary charges at the time.