KIDNAP charges have been dropped against a father and son from Worcester on the day they were due to stand trial.

The prosecution at Worcester Crown Court offered no evidence against Dominic Taylor, aged 22, of Langdale Drive, Warndon, and Daniel Taylor, 65, of Goldsmith Road, Brickfields, and they were found not guilty of conspiracy to kidnap.

They each pleaded guilty instead to a charge of affray and Daniel Taylor also pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

No evidence was offered against a third man, Thomas Tarbuck, 19, of Liverpool Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, who had also denied conspiracy to kidnap, and he was discharged. All three had been on bail.

Judge Toby Hooper said he wanted to know more details about the circumstances which had led to a “serious public disturbance” and pre-sentence reports were ordered.

The incident started at about 2.15pm on March 31 last year in Bromsgrove and was witnessed by afternoon shoppers as it took place around the town centre at various locations, including the Peacocks store in High Street, Market Place and St John Street car park, formerly the Market Hall site.

Vehicles were damaged as a 65-year-old woman was driven away from the car park and was later found after a police hunt at a location in South Wales.

Pre-sentence reports were ordered and Dominic and Daniel Taylor will return to court for sentencing on Friday, March 30.