AN ANDOVER mum jailed for her part in a 'truly horrific' kidnap has failed to get her jail term cut by top judges.

Corrie Jane Falconer-Smith, of St Ann's Close, was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Winchester Crown Court on January 22.

The victim, Phillip Ruffell, was out with friends in Andover in May last year, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC told London's Court of Appeal on Friday.

He was driving a BMW and wearing an expensive pair of shoes, both purchased with a recent inheritance.

Mr Ruffell came to the attention of Reece Harding and David Hill, who 'wrongly' formed the view from his appearance that he must be a drug dealer.

A knife was held to his throat and demands made for money and drugs.

He was forced into the back of Renault Clio driven by Falconer-Smith.

He 'thought he was going to be killed' as Harding continued to jab him with a knife, the court heard.

His bank card was taken and Falconer-Smith, 37, went online to raise the amount of money he could withdraw from £200 to £500.

They took the victim to a supermarket in Andover to withdraw £500 before dropping off Hill.

Falconer-Smith then drove Harding and the victim to Winchester, where he was made to purchase a £5,000 ring.

He was eventually let go after a five-hour ordeal and Falconer-Smith was given some drugs for her part in the kidnap.

She pleaded guilty on the basis that she had no prior warning the kidnap was going to happen.

Falconer-Smith said had gone to buy drugs and, when she arrived, Mr Ruffell was bundled into the back of her car.

She said she did as she was told because she was 'in fear' of Harding.

A probation officer's report said she had endured a 'traumatic upbringing' and used illicit drugs for pain resulting from an injury.

She had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, the report said.

Her barrister, Tom Godfrey, argued her jail term was far too harsh and should be reduced. He said she had acted as the 'reluctant driver' and the impact of her imprisonment on her young child was severe.

Rejecting the appeal Judge Marson, who was sitting with Mrs Justice May, said: "We accept Falconer-Smith felt in fear and she had no proper knowledge of what was about to happen."

But it was 'clear she played an active and significant role' in the kidnap, he added and that she 'drove them from place to place' and used her IT knowledge to raise the limit on his card.

He added: "A significant custodial sentence was required. It cannot be said that the sentence of three-and-a-half years was manifestly excessive."

Harding got 12 years and a five-year extended licence period after admitting kidnap, robbery, having a bladed article and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Hill got seven years after admitting kidnap, robbery and possession of Class A drugs.

The judge who jailed the trio described the kidnap as 'truly horrific'.