A GROUP of “vigilantes” who took the law into their own hands and paraded an alleged thief through a town centre with his hands tied behind his back have been bound over to keep the peace.

Mark Gilbert was marched along Newland Street in Witham with a placard saying “Thief. I stole £845. Am on my way to police station” hung around his neck.

Simon and Andrew Cremer, Reece Bennett, and David White, suspected work colleague Mr Gilbert of stealing a cheque from In-house Flooring.

He was tied up with tape, put in the back of a company van and driven to Witham’s White Hart Hotel, a court heard.

There were also claims that a nail gun had been pointed at him during the September 26 ordeal.

“He was marched down the high street with a sign around his neck, saying he was a thief,” said Frank O’Toole, prosecuting.

Mr Gilbert, of Nayland Road, Colchester, was taken to Witham police station.

The court heard he was later cautioned for theft.

Simon Cremer, 44, of Gestingthorpe Road, Little Maplestead, Andrew Cremer, 42, of Brook Road Tiptree, White, 42, of Tollesbury Road, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, and Bennett, 23, of Hawthorn Rise, Witham, had all denied unlawful imprisonment.

They claimed they had been advised to carry out a “citizen’s arrest”.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard vigilantism had “raised its head”.

All charges were withdrawn after they agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for a year to the sum of £500.