Torture victim held captive for two days and had his face 'blow-torched'

High Court: Mark Douglas admitted to assault and torture.STV

A torture victim was held captive for two days by a man he owed money to, a court heard.

John Alcroft had his face "blow-torched" with a lit deodorant spray.

He also had a chemical substance thrown over him and soap powder poured into a stab wound.

Mark Douglas, 34, admitted to the assault and torture when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Peter Welsh, 48, also admitted to his role in the torture as he joined Douglas in the dock.

Prosecutor Jane Farquharson told how Mr Alcroft and Douglas had once been on "friendly terms". However, last summer, Douglas assaulted Mr Alcroft which led to him dropping from a second storey window fracturing three ribs and breaking his heel.

Douglas was also said to be "owed a debt" and he further suspected Mr Alcroft of stealing from him.

On March 9 2012, Mr Alcroft met Douglas and Welsh, who offered to give him a lift into Glasgow to buy his mother a birthday present.

The court heard that during the journey Douglas said they had to go back to his flat in School Place, Ardrossan. The men arrived at the property and, the court heard, Douglas's attitude to Mr Alcroft "suddenly changed".

Mr Alcroft decided to leave, but Douglas told him he was not getting out.

He and Welsh followed the victim into the kitchen before grabbing him and rifling through his wallet.

They discovered a total of £480 and then launched an assault on Mr Alcroft, repeatedly punching and kicking him.

Torture

In the early hours of the next morning, Douglas slashed Mr Alcroft on the leg before tightening the victim's belt around the cut which caused him to pass out.

Ms Farquharson said Mr Alcroft was awoken by Douglas and she added: "He thought the attack had ended and he would be able to leave."

But, the ordeal continued into that day with Mr Alcroft being repeatedly whipped with a bike chain and tied to a chair with a knife held at his throat.

When Douglas returned, he hit Mr Alcroft across the face with a bottle, breaking his nose.

He next poured soap powder into an open wound before repeatedly lighting a deodorant spray burning his victim's face. Douglas also gave Mr Alcroft electric shocks from a battery attached to crocodile clips.

Escape

Mr Alcroft finally managed to escape while his two attackers were asleep. He went to nearby cafe where stunned witnesses dialled 999.

The court was told the victim had "horrific injuries" including burns, stab wounds and facial fractures.

Mr Alcroft was able to tell police that Douglas had been responsible. The court was told Mr Alcroft had been "anxious" of having to re-live his nightmare in the witness box, but was "determined to speak up" if required.

Judge Lord Bannatyne remanded Douglas and Welsh in custody and deferred sentencing until next month for reports.

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