Two men charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of a man they allegedly dragged along a road and bound in tape appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Antoine Anderson, 26, and David Cox, 24, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Torrick Williams last Friday, August 27 in Pembroke.

Crown counsel Juan Wolffe told the court that Mr. Williams was socialising at the Swinging Doors night club when he was set upon by the defendants who kicked and beat him before dragging him to the St. Monica's Road area of Pembroke. There he was bound with tape and dragged to the Ducking Stool area where his hands and feet were tied up and his dreadlocks cut off.

Both Cox and Anderson face additional charges of intending to steal $5,000 from Mr. Williams with threats of injury if their demands were not complied with.

They are also charged with attempting to demand $5,000 from the victim with threats of injury to be caused to him if he did not comply.

The pair face two other charges of attempting to deprive Mr. Williams of his personal liberty and robbing him of $200 in cash and a gold tooth cap valued at $200. Cox and Anderson were also charged with stealing a pair of Reebok sneakers from Mr. Williams valued at $50.

Mr. Wolffe said the victim was forced to make telephone calls to acquaintances in a bid to raise $5,000 ? and if he failed he would be killed by his two abductors.

The court heard how the terrifying ordeal ended after Mr. Williams was able to cut himself free and escape.

Acting Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner denied bail.

Cox, who is represented by Craig Attridge and Anderson, represented by Mark Pettingill both appeared in court without their lawyers.

When asked if they had anything to say, Cox told Mr. Warner: "I'll stay away from the defendants and any stipulations that apply if that is what's needed."

Cox and Anderson, both from Pembroke, will appear in court for mention on September 13.

Anderson was charged with perjury during the Wellington Oval trial in May after he was found to give false testimony over the identification of the defendants.

He is the nephew of UBP Senator Leonard Santucci.

There have been several kidnappings this year.