Three UK lap dancers 'kidnap' their nightclub boss - court

THREE lap dancers allegedly kidnapped their nightclub owner boss after he refused to pay them because they "broke the rules" by taking off their clothes.

Charlotte Devaney, 34, arrives at Bristol Crown Court.

THREE lap dancers kidnapped their nightclub owner boss after he refused to pay them, a court has heard.

Chris Woodman, 34, says three women he hired to dance in a pop-up club he ran at the Cheltenham horse racing festival in the UK "broke the rules" when they stripped off their clothing.

Police shut down the club after lap dancers Mandy Cool, 29, Rachel Goodchild, 24, and Stephanie Pye, 31, broke licencing regulations that required the women to wear "clothing, bikinis and nipple tassels" at all times.

The women paid 150 pounds ($278) per night to be allowed into the club and were allowed to keep any cash they made after that, The Mirror reported. In addition they would split any credit card takings 50/50 with Mr Woodman.

Stephanie Pye, 31, arrives at Bristol Crown Court.

The dancers claimed they were owed 50 per cent of a 42,000 pound credit card payment from one enthusiastic punter.

When Mr Woodman refused to give them the money the three women and their manager Charlotte Devaney, 34, allegedly got two male friends to kidnap and beat up Mr Woodman.

The jury heard that Robert Morris, 27, and his brother Alexander, 23, trapped Mr Woodman in their car and drove him to a field where they beat him and stole his 4650 pound Breitling watch and forced him to make a bank transfer to Ms Devaney.

Prosecutor Martin Steen told Bristol crown court:

"Charlotte Devaney made it clear she thought there would need to be a discussion with Mr Woodman and he was helped into her car by the Morris brothers, who sat either side of him in the back of the vehicle.

Rachel Goodchild, 24, arrives at Bristol Crown Court.

"Mr Woodman was wearing a Breitling watch which was seen by the Morris's and he was requested to hand it over.

"He was under threat, he had no chance but to hand it over and he did so.

"Mr Woodman recalls being struck while in the vehicle twice in the face by Robert Morris causing him to bleed.

"He had already been harangued by Charlotte Devaney in very forthright terms that she wanted the money paid over and she was extremely angry.

"He was persuaded to ring his bank and to make arrangements to transfer over funds.

Mandy Cool, 29, arrives at Bristol Crown Court.

"He was provided with Charlotte Devaney's bank card and given clear instructions for 4800 pound to be transferred."

Mr Steen said the dancers did not adhere to the rules of the pop-up club.

"They insisted on taking their clothes off and complaints were made."

The club was then forced to close due to the breach of licence.

"As far as Mr Woodman was concerned he felt the girls had broken their contracts and were not entitled to keep the money," Mr Steen said.

The four women deny a charge of kidnapping and the Morris brothers deny robbing Mr Woodman.

The trial continues.

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