HARROWING details of the kidnap of three private bodyguards who were executed in Iraq after a year in captivity have been made public for first time.
Jason Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow, was one of three security experts who suffered “terrifying” mock executions and beatings at the hands of their captors. They were forced to wear blindfolds, chains and handcuffs for long periods before their deaths, an inquest heard.
A fourth, Alan McMenemy, 34, from Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, is also believed to have been killed, but his remains have never been found.
They were captured with two colleagues, Jason Swindlehurst, 38, of Lancashire and Alec MacLachlan, 30, from Llanelli, south Wales, as they escorted IT expert Peter Moore and another employee to the Ministry of Finance in Basra under close protection in May 2007.
Two years later, three bodies were returned to British authorities in Baghdad. All had suffered close range gun shot wounds with Mr Swindlehurst and Mr MacLachlan padlocked in chains that had been wrapped around their ankles and wrists.
Mr Moore, who was released in December 2009, gave a highly detailed account of the kidnappings during a three-and-a-half week debrief to Scotland Yard. Counter-terrorism officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Moles, who gave details of what he had said to the inquest in Wiltshire yesterday, revealed the men endured regular beatings while being held hostage, particularly to make them compliant, before being split up and moved to new locations every few months.
Mr Moles said the hostage would be “forced on to his knees, have a firearm pushed into the back of his head, the firearm being racked and immediately a second firearm is discharged into the room”.
“It was absolutely terrifying,” he said.
The men were made to sleep on the floor or with a thin blanket and were given food and water and allowed to shower regularly. Television was occasionally allowed, which enabled Mr Moore and the other hostages to keep track of the date.
The length of their captivity was also filmed on several occasions for “proof of life” videos. Mr Moles said the bodyguards believed they were in the Basra area because they recognised the type of artillery being fired in the area as being British.
A letter from Mr Creswell, latterly of Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, to his daughter Maddison and his former partner Jane was later found in a secret room behind a false wall in a building close to the city.
A weapons cache, including improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and guns, was also found at the premises and six Iraqis were arrested.
Radioactive isotope testing showed that Mr MacLachlan and Mr Creswell died between February and May 1, 2008, while Mr Swindlehurst died between February and June 11 that year.
Mr Creswell is said to have been shot three times in the chest and abdomen with a 9mm gun when he was kneeling on the ground.
Coroner David Ridley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing for all three.
The families of the hostages later said in a statement: “We are united in our support for each other and have drawn huge strength from this throughout this most tragic period in our lives. We are grateful for all the help and support we have received from many people from all walks of life and religious backgrounds.”
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