A young man from Plymouth, described by the judge as "extremely immature," has avoided a prison sentence after committing a series of shocking offenses. The case involved forcing a former friend to snort glass fragments off his car's dashboard and threatening to firebomb the victim’s mother's house.

The accused, Leon Adkins, along with his co-defendants Jackson Selby and Jude Davies, pleaded guilty to several charges at Plymouth Crown Court in July 2023. The case began with an incident on August 7, 2023, when Adkins was caught in a car with nitrous oxide canisters and cannabis. He was found to be in possession of a knuckleduster, which he claimed to have made during a college workshop. Police also discovered 5.91g of cannabis in his possession.

However, the most disturbing offense involved the targeting of Adkins' former friend, who was falsely accused of damaging Adkins' car. Despite evidence suggesting another individual caused the damage, Adkins persisted in his belief that his victim was responsible. He and Selby, then 19 years old, arranged a meeting with the victim on October 2, 2023, under the pretext of sharing a drink. When the victim entered the damaged car, Adkins locked the doors, trapping him inside.

The situation escalated when Adkins and Selby forced the victim to inhale nitrous oxide before humiliating him further. They demanded that he snort glass fragments off the dashboard and even threatened to beat him if he refused. The victim, described as "vulnerable," reluctantly complied, and the incident was filmed. Adkins later boasted about the act on social media.

The ordeal didn’t end there. Adkins drove the victim in the dangerously damaged car to Lopwell Dam, where he stopped midway and threw the victim out of the vehicle in the dark, confiscating his mobile phone’s battery to prevent him from calling for help.

The following day, Adkins and Davies threatened the victim’s mother, demanding money and threatening to burn her house down. This was despite having already received the money from another person. Adkins later told his co-accused to delete everything related to the incident, fearing the victim had reported him to the police.

The victim’s impact statement revealed the deep psychological trauma caused by the events, describing constant fear and nightmares about the attack. He expressed a strong desire to never see Adkins again.

Despite having a previous record, Adkins was given a suspended sentence for his actions. The judge, Recorder Simon Levene, acknowledged the severity of the offense but also noted that Adkins was "extremely immature" at the time of the incident. He was sentenced to two years for administering a noxious substance, two years for false imprisonment, and 18 months for dangerous driving. Additionally, Adkins was given a two-month sentence for affray related to the threats made to the victim’s mother. The sentences were all suspended for two years, with supervision and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) imposed. Adkins was also issued a five-year restraining order and a one-year driving ban.

Selby received a 12-month sentence, also suspended for two years, along with supervision and a restraining order. Davies was fined £200 and subjected to a two-year restraining order. The judge warned both Adkins and Selby that failure to comply with the terms of their sentence could result in the activation of their suspended sentences.

This disturbing case highlights the dangerous consequences of unchecked immaturity and the lasting psychological impact on victims. The court's decision to suspend the sentences has sparked debate about the severity of the punishment given the gravity of the offenses committed.