A MAN who told his girlfriend he had been kidnapped so that he could stay out partying was found safe and well by police at a house in Bolton.
“Considerable resources and time then went into finding this man, who it transpires made the entire thing up so he could stay out and party."
At around 6.30pm on Friday 22 August, a woman called her boyfriend, 32, and was told by the person that answered the phone that the man would not be allowed home until he cleared a debt.
When she next spoke to her boyfriend he told her he was being held against his will.
The woman reported this to the police who began carrying out house-to-house enquiries and combing CCTV to try and locate the man.
After a number of houses were searched, a man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap. The man told police the whole thing had been a 'ruse' in order for his friend to stay out drinking.
Police finally tracked down the man at around 1.20am on Saturday 23 August at a house on Shurmer Street, Bolton.
Police thought the man had been kidnapped
Detective Inspector Jo Clawson, said: “The man’s girlfriend was absolutely beside herself with worry and genuinely concerned that he would come to harm.
“Rightfully, based on what she knew at the time, the matter was reported to police.
“Considerable resources and time then went into finding this man, who it transpires made the entire thing up so he could stay out and party.
“This is without doubt one of the most foolish and irresponsible incidents I have been involved in.
“Significant resources were taken off the front line on a Friday night, which is without exception, one of the busiest times of the week.
“He is fortunate not to have been charged, but to put together a file of evidence and put him through the court system would incur even more cost to the taxpayer. We feel we have wasted enough time and resources on him already and not only has he been fined, this matter will be recorded as a criminal conviction on his record.”
It is yet to be confirmed whether the couple are still together. Unlikely.
