A Queenstown court has been told how the actions of three men linked to a kidnapping attempt in Arrowtown last year were a classic case of a drug deal gone bad.
The men were charged with either detaining or assaulting Jason Maynard and his female partner in November last year.
Judge Phillips sentenced Samuel Coupe, Jonathan Burke and Daniel Kissell when they appeared for sentencing in the Queenstown District Court on Monday.
Coupe was jailed for two years and nine months, while Burke was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Kissell was sentenced to 8 months' home detention. They all shared reparation of $11,000.
The court was told the men had purchased Ecstasy tablets in a Queenstown bar, which they say contained flour and brown sugar.
They then banded together to teach the drug dealer a lesson and get their money back, using a machete and a meat cleaver.
Four others have entered no plea in relation to the assault and kidnapping. Another accused, Rachel Faul, has pleaded not guilty.
