by Keith Hunt

A former businessman who fled to Spain more than three years ago to avoid serving an indeterminate jail term has finally been put behind bars.

Dean Rice was arrested on the Costa del Sol in February and then did "everything in his power" to avoid returning to the UK, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The 49-year-old has now started serving the sentence which will keep him in prison for a minimum of five years or until the parole board considers it is safe to release him.

Rice, who ran Erith Storage, was also jailed for nine months for jumping bail, ordered to be served at the end of the minimum term.

He was on trial in October 2007 with others, including his wife, over the brutal kidnap of a former employee. He fled the country while the jury was out considering verdicts.

Rice ordered the kidnap of former employee Alan Clarke after accusing him of stealing £500,000.

He was grabbed by three men in London and forced into a van. A woolly hat was pulled over his head, but he saw that one of the men had a gun.

He was "hog-tied" and repeatedly asked about Rice's money.

Mr Clark was taken to a remote farm in Shadoxhurst, Ashford. His mouth was taped and he was left tied to a radiator in a "crucifix" pose. He eventually broke free and jumped 15ft from a window to escape.

After Rice left the country, the Serious Organised Crime Agency named him as one of its most wanted criminals and appeals were made by crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers.

He eluded capture for some time before being arrested in the Spanish town of Alhaurin.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told Judge Martin Joy: "He has done everything in his power to prevent coming back to this country, including making scenes on aeroplanes.

"It has been a complicated process to get him back to court."

Judge Joy told Rice: "The reality is that since your arrest you have made every effort to avoid coming to court. You have disrupted attempts to bring you here by plane.

"As a result, you have had to be brought here at great expense. You should be behind bars because you have been certified by the court as being a danger to the public."