TEARS filled the court room as three men were acquitted of kidnapping and assaulting a man after a three-week trial. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on all charges against the three defendants at Basildon Crown Court today. The judge acknowledged a kidnapping had taken place, but the jury could not be certain the three men were involved. Bradley Scates, 25, of St Peters Road, Canvey, Daniel Bellefontaine, 37, of Little Oxcroft, Basildon, and James Newman, 34, of Mill Lane, London, had denied kidnap, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and blackmail. Their families burst into tears as the verdict was announced.