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THIS is the shocking moment a man escaped being bundled into a van in a botched kidnapping attempt.

The victim was shoved to the ground and punched repeatedly by the three would-be abductors.

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Footage shows the violent trio attempting to manhandle him into a waiting white van in Luton, Bedfordshire.

The thugs also attempted to handcuff the victim, who could be seen desperately fighting to escape their clutches.

Dominic Croucher, Jamie Williams and Paul Morrell hatched the kidnap plot after discovering the victim had come into some money.

On September 11, he received threatening messages in a bid to intimidate him into handing over the cash.

Chillingly, the trio also watched the man and his family before two of them set fire to a fence at his home.

They also exchanged messages as they discussed the snatch plot and spoke of the “life-changing money” they would get.

But their plan was foiled when the victim managed to flee – causing the panicking thugs to escape without their handcuffs.

Police were able to trace Williams and Morrell thanks to DNA left on the cuffs.

Officers also identified Croucher as the white van driver after using CCTV and ANPR.

Phones seized from the thugs showed they had discussed how they “blazed his gaffe” in reference to setting the victim’s fence alight.

Croucher, 28, of Swansea, has been jailed for eight years and three months after admitting conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail.

Williams, 40, and Morrell, 39, both of Doncaster, were sentenced to 10 years and six months after pleading guilty to the same charges.

Detective Constable Daniel Matcham, from Bedfordshire Police, said: “This was an escalating series of events where the offenders attempted to kidnap the victim by using serious violence against him and, when that didn’t work, they continued their vendetta by threatening him and setting his fence and garden shed on fire.”

“Their intimidating and wicked actions left the victim in fear of not only his life, but the lives of his family too.”

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RAFA BENITEZ didn’t need to think twice when naming Steven Gerrard as the best player he has ever coached — snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

Benitez, 64, has managed some of Europe’s top teams during a glittering coaching career which started in 1986 at Real Madrid’s academy.

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He has since taking charge of giants including Liverpool, Chelsea and Real.

And Benitez has a host of trophies to boot, including two league titles, an FA Cup, one Europe League and a Champions League.

The Spaniard’s travels have seen him work with some of football’s top names.

Fernando Torres, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard are just some of the stars to have crossed Benitez’s path.

But the tactician, most recently in charge of LaLiga side Celta Vigo, reckons Gerrard was head and shoulders above the rest.

Benitez managed the midfield powerhouse for six years at Liverpool, with the pair winning an FA Cup and Champions League together.

Benitez made his choice despite having also managed legendary forward Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

But they famously fell out almost immediately, with Benitez’s contract terminated just six months into his Bernabeu reign.

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Explaining why Gerrard was king in his eyes, Benitez told the It Was What It Was podcast: “He’s the best player that I have ever coached.

“He was very good and at the beginning when we were knowing each other.”

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Benitez was then questioned about the difference between Gerrard and Ronaldo.

He was asked: “You coached Ronaldo. You think Steven was a better player?”

Benitez answered: “In terms of a complete player. Stevie has the power, he could score goals, good in the air, both feet, could shoot from distance, short, taking penalties, deliveries, corners, free-kicks.

“Defending, if it was necessary. He had energy, he trained well and was a good professional. The point with him is he was a box-to-box midfielder from the beginning and little by little he was understanding the game.

“He had all the potential and he was getting better in terms of position and decisions later on. But he was great from the beginning.”

Rafa Benitez's managerial stats

Those numbers in full:

• Real Madrid B, July 1993-June 1995: P65 W26 D18 L21

• Valladolid, July 1995-Jan 1996: P29 W5 D10 L14

• Osasuna, July 1996-Nov 1996: P11 W3 D4 L4

• Extremadura, July 1997-June 1999: P92 W36 D26 L30

• Tenerife, July 2000-June 2001: P46 W23 D11 L12

• Valencia, July 2001-June 2004: P162 W88 D41 L33

• Liverpool, June 2004-June 2010: P350 W194 D77 L79

• Inter Milan, June 2010-Dec 2010: P25 W12 D6 L7

• Chelsea (interim), Nov 2012-May 2013: P48 W28 D10 L10

• Napoli, May 2013-June 2015: P112 W59 D28 L25

• Real Madrid, June 2015-Jan 2016: P25 W17 D5 L3

• Newcastle, March 2016-June 2019: P146 W62 D31 L53

• Dalian Pro, July 2019-Jan 2021: P38 W12 D8 L18

• Everton, June 2021-Jan 2022: P22 W7 D5 L10

• Celta Vigo, July 2023-March 2024: P33 W9 D9 L15

Trophies

• La Liga x2, Uefa Cup (Valencia)
• FA Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup (Liverpool)
• Italian Super Cup, Club World Cup (Inter Milan)
• Europa League (Chelsea)
• Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup (Napoli)
• Championship (Newcastle)

NICKY HENDERSON, in a video on X announced Constitution Hill would NOT be running in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.

The Seven Barrows’ stable star has been out of action since Kempton last Boxing Day after suffering a respiratory infection and then a life-threatening bout of colic.

Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com

He was last seen at a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Tuesday where he underwhelmed viewers by trailing along after Sir Gino, looking laboured.

Henderson was initially positive following the workout, despite the HUGE drift in odds for the Champion Hurdle in March – he went from 6-4 favourite to 4-1.

Punters’ fears were not unfounded, and a not-unexpected video emerged on X at around 1pm on Friday ruling out Constitution Hill’s return next Saturday.

A gutted Henderson said: “I’m afraid I have to report we have a problem with Constitution Hill.

“He’s currently lame which wasn’t immediately apparent after his gallop at Newbury on Tuesday.

“But, for the last 48 hours he has been sore, but for what reason we are still unaware but still currently investigating.

“This, as I’m sure everyone will appreciate, is a tragic problem for us, but we have to report where we are.

“He’s still under investigation and we are trying to find the reason for it which is not apparent.

“We will keep everybody posted, but at this stage he is unlikely but I have to confirm to everybody this is NOT a retirement call. He was bright and breezy after his gallop, but we have this issue…”

The video ended abruptly after that comment, and punters took to the comments section with mixed opinions.

One said: “Such a shame hope CH can get back to his absolute best good luck with him Nicky!”

Another added: ” Retire him!”

One said: “Sad news but health of the horse strikes first.”

Constitution Hill is now 5-1 for Champion Hurdle glory.

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