A MAN accused of kidnapping a 24-year-old man over a dispute over a missing necklace has claimed the alleged victim was either drunk or had been taking drugs on the night in question.

A MAN accused of kidnapping a 24-year-old man over a dispute over a missing necklace has claimed the alleged victim was either drunk or had been taking drugs on the night in question.

Ian Berwick, 48, told police after his arrest that when he went to talk to Adrian Mills about the missing necklace and a threatening telephone call, Mr Mills had burst into tears.

“I don't know if he was drugged up or drunk,” Berwick told police.

He claimed that Mr Mills had agreed to leave his flat with Berwick and 28-year-old William Maycock for a chat.

Berwick said they had driven down the road and he had spoken to Mr Mills about the missing gold chain. He claimed that Mr Mills had tried to put his arms around them and kept telling them that he loved them.

Berwick told police that someone had given Mr Mills a mobile phone and asked him to ring Berwick's stepson Adam Leeks to apologise for a threatening telephone call he had supposedly made earlier that evening.

Berwick claimed that Mr Mills had then been returned to his uncle's flat in Woods Lane, Melton, where he was staying. He denied threatening or assaulting Mr Mills.

Berwick, of Tymmes Place, Hasketon and Maycock, of Great Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew, have denied kidnapping Mr Mills on December 23.

It has been alleged that Mr Mills, who lives in Downham Market but was staying with his uncle in Melton, had visited the home of a former girlfriend in the Woodbridge area.

While there, he became aware of a dispute relating to a missing gold necklace that had belonged to his former girlfriend.

A threatening telephone call had been made demanding the return of the necklace to one of Berwick's stepsons but Mr Mills had not personally made any threats, said Lindsay Cox, prosecuting.

When Mr Mills returned to his uncle's flat he was allegedly kidnapped by Berwick and Maycock who had allegedly burst into the flat and assaulted him.

Mr Mills claimed he was taken from the flat at knifepoint and driven to a car park near a railway line.

He was threatened he would be killed and that he was handed a mobile phone and told to apologise for threatening Berwick's stepson Adam Leeks.

Mr Mills said he was then taken back to his flat. During questioning Mr Mills denied being under the influence of drink or drugs on the night in question.

The trial continues.