Colin CookeDETECTIVES believe west Wiltshire is a safer place now that a violent thug who kidnapped and assaulted a man in Trowbridge has been jailed for a total of 11 years.

Colin Cooke, 32, was sentenced to three years in jail at Swindon Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to kidnap and actual bodily harm against Craig Dyer.

Cooke, a known drug dealer who has a string of previous convictions is already serving an eight-year jail term after joining in a vicious attack in a Trowbridge pub.

Det Con Paul Clifford of Trowbridge police, speaking on behalf of investigating officer Det Sgt Dave Martin, said: "Colin Cooke is capable of serious violence and in particular he has shown no regard for the law or, most importantly, the victims.

"Colin Cooke is a very dangerous man capable of far greater things than he has already been convicted of and it is our belief it is safer he is inside."

The court heard Cooke attacked 31-year-old Mr Dyer at a flat in Francis Street, Trowbridge, before tying him up with flex and bundling him into the boot of a car.

Mr Dyer, who was told there was a hole in the ground waiting for him, managed to loosen the ties around his hands enough to escape from the moving car and run away.

He was left with a broken nose and needed stitches in his head, face, wrists and hands after the attack in March.

Cooke carried out the attack while on bail for another assault in which 28-year-old Dean Peverley was left fighting for his life after Cooke and two other men set on him in The Kings Arms.

Mr Peverley needed surgery to remove his spleen and most of his pancreas after the attack in April 2003.

This assault took place while Cooke was awaiting sentencing for wounding another man, Kevin York, in June 2002.

Cooke has notched up 19 previous convictions for 40 offences including supplying drugs.

DC Clifford paid tribute to the bravery of witnesses who came forward to speak out against Cooke.

He said: "Their actions should be an encouragement to everyone who has resigned themselves to having to live as victims of violence and intimidation that something can be done if people are willing to stand up and put their faith in the police and criminal justice system."

Jailing Cooke for a further three years Judge Tom Longbotham said: "This is by any reckoning a very serious crime. It seems that it needs a certain sort of situation to trigger the violence but the violence, when triggered, is very considerable indeed."