DETECTIVES have praised members of the public who helped them track down a biker gang after they carried out a terrifying attack near Yelverton.

The five members of the Midlands-based Outlaws laid an ambush for a 55-year-old builder in a country lane near the village in an attempt to extract £40,000 which they claimed he owed.

The operation was led by Jez Ball, a disgruntled employee who believed that the builder has conned his former fiancee Jennie Harmston out of £40,000 before ditching her by text on the eve of their wedding.

He is a member of the Outlaws and persuaded bikers David Bird, Stephen Cooper, Robert Haywood and Dean Ramsell to drive the 130 miles to Devon to carry out the attack.

They lured the victim to Axtown Lane, Yelverton, by arranging a meeting with a potential client but then ambushed him and trapped his car in a farm yard at the end of the lane.

He escaped unhurt after pushing his way through the men and fleeing across fields before taking refuge at a nearby house where he called the police.

The gang had taken great care to avoid detection. There were false number plates on Cooper’s BMW and they left all their mobile phones at home to avoid leaving a trace of their movements.

The only phones they used were two unregistered ’burner’ phones. One was used by Ball and Ms Harmston to set up the trap and the other by the rest of the gang to arrange a rendez-vous with Ball at Ashburton before they moved on to Yelverton.

They were caught because of help from members of the public, including a family staying at the farm during half term holidays.

A 13-year-old boy called the police and another witness used her iPad to film the BMW. Other witnesses saw the gang changing the false number plates in a layby near the Moorlands Garden Hotel in Yelverton.

They also called the police, helping them to track the BMW as it headed North by helicopter and enabling it to be stopped on the M5 near Bristol.

Detective Inspector Praveen Naidoo, who led the inquiry, praised the help the police received.

He said: ‘The victim was lured to a location under the pretence of potential employment whereupon he was pursued by a BMW, trapped in a yard and then set upon by the occupants wearing balaclavas.

‘During the attack the windows of his car were smashed and the victim eventually fled on foot, pursued by one of the men, eventually taking shelter in a house nearby.

‘After failing to catch the victim, all five men made off in the BMW and the victim’s car. The BMW was stopped later that day on the M5 by armed officers.

‘In the boot of the BMW were some bags. One contained cable ties, an axe, scissors, a screwdriver, pliers and a hammer. A second had rope, a chain, a blow-torch, more cable ties, and black tape.

‘There were two pillow cases and three petrol cans; one containing petrol, the other two water. Also in the back was a thick roll of plastic sheeting.

‘In their defence, the defendants have said how their intention was to secure repayment of a debt and that they never intended to cause the victim any physical harm.

‘Members of the public played a crucial role in helping police locate the suspects; one photographed their vehicle, while another witnesses registration plates being changed. Another gave the victim refuge after he was chased.’

Detective constable Wayne Thielmann from Tavistock added: “Events like this are very rare, no matter where you live in the country.

‘These people came down to a very rural, quiet area on a sunny late winter morning with the intent to cause misery to the victim.”

‘Often people shy away from getting involved with crimes they witness, especially when confronted with the violence that these offenders were showing, however, if it was not for the bravery of the local community on that day, the police would have struggled to locate the culprits so quickly and provide evidence to get such a successful outcome in court.”

Detective constable Hodge from Tavistock said: ‘This is another example in recent years of when the residents of West Devon have come together and helped police convict offenders of violent crimes.’

North and West Devon superintendent Toby Davies added: ‘This result has come about due to the hard work and dedication to the two officers in the case over the last 18 months.

‘Credit and recognition is also due to police staff in specialist roles within the organisation who have worked tirelessly to help build the case from behind the scenes.’

The five men are Jez Ball, aged 56, of Diptford, Totnes; David Bird, aged 58, of Fairfield Crescent, Swadlincote, South Derbyshire; Stephen Cooper, aged 58, of The City, Woodville, Swadlincote; Robert Haywood aged 56, of Stanton Road, Burton-on-Trent; and Dean Ramsell, aged 44, of Main Street, Swannington, Coalville, Leicestershire.

They all admitted to falsely imprisonment. Ball was jailed for four years, and the others for between two years four months and two years eight months at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday.