TERRIFED security guard Stewart Williams today said he feared for his life when a gang kidnapped him and stole three lorries from a Felixstowe haulage yard.

By Georgina James

TERRIFED security guard Stewart Williams today said he feared for his life when a gang kidnapped him and stole three lorries from a Felixstowe haulage yard.

Mr Williams said it had been the most traumatic experience of his life and one he will never forget.

Meanwhile police renewed their appeals for witnesses especially anyone who may have seen the stolen lorries travelling in convoy.

Mr Williams, from Felixstowe, was taken on a four-hour high-speed journey away from the Pentalver container site he had been guarding near the town's port by a gang of men.

The kidnappers stole children's clothing and adult trainers worth tens of thousands of pounds.

The security guard who is in his 30s has been offered counselling by his employers, Securicor, and today spoke about his ordeal for the first time since the crime earlier this month.

''Although I was not seriously injured in the event, what happened to me was the most traumatic experience of my life. In fact, the memory of the incident still haunts me.

''Having been forced into the back of a van, handcuffed and shackled to the floor, I spent four hours isolated and immobilised, while being driven at high speed," he said.

''Throughout the ordeal I had no idea what the outcome would be and, in short, I feared for my life.

''I want to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are apprehended and dealt with in the most appropriate way. I sincerely hope that anyone who may have information that can help catch these criminals will come forward to the police."

Mr Williams hopes his decision to make public a short statement about the abduction and robbery would encourage people to respond by giving information.

The kidnappers struck at the Pentalver Transport depot in Blofield Road, Felixstowe, on the evening of January 19. Suffolk police confirmed the site was believed to have been visited by the gang before the raid. Some closed circuit television equipment had been taken during the raid.

As the guard approached a van at about 8pm, the gang of four, wearing balaclavas, grabbed Mr Williams and handcuffed him before later dumping him on the A414 between Ongar and Chelmsford. He received wrist injuries and a minor shoulder injury and needed hospital treatment before returning home.

The robbers stole three lorries containing clothing and Nike trainers, including Gladwin, Cortez Prem and Cortez Deluxe styles in various colours. Police are urging anyone being offered this type of trainer to contact them.

Acting Detective Inspector Allan Forbes said police would like to hear from members of the public who saw the vehicles travelling in convoy in Essex or noticed anything suspicious at High Ongar and Howe Green where the lorries were abandoned.

Anyone with information should call Felixstowe CID on 01473 383300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.