Kidnapper and his victim ‘become good friends’

A MAN who was kidnapped, stuffed into the boot of a car and then savagely assaulted has become good friends with his kidnapper.

The two men have become so close that the victim even drives his one-time attacker to court for his hearings.

Martin Golek was taken to Ned’s Point in Inishowen, Co Donegal, after being kidnapped from his home in Buncrana on January 19, 2009.

However, Letterkenny Circuit Court heard that since the incident, Mr Golek and the accused Michal Kotecki have become good friends.

Kotecki, aged 30, pleaded guilty to a charge of false imprisonment and assault when he appeared in court.

Kotecki, of Connaberry, Buncrana, and two other men, arrived at the house where Mr Golek was staying, which belonged to another local man, Paul Doyle.

He was taken barefoot from the house at St Oran’s Road in Buncrana, stuffed into the boot of a red Fiat Punto car and driven to Ned’s Point where he was beaten and then dumped.

He made it to the home of Margaret McAteer, in Glen, Buncrana.

Gardaí revealed he had blood around his mouth, his clothes were soiled and he was barefoot.

He was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital along with his landlord, Mr Doyle, and he made a statement of complaint against his three attackers.

The court heard that the attack arose of an allegation that Mr Golek owed the men €500 which he had borrowed for travel to Poland.

The men, including Kotecki, threatened they would kill Mr Golek if they did not get the money back.

One of the three attackers has already been before the courts while the third gang member has since died.

Judge John O’Hagan said what the men did at home was their business, but this was a different jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case until November 4, warning Kotecki that he wanted to see €2,000 in compensation before the court.

He also indicated that he would consider imposing a community service order in lieu of a jail sentence.