A “dangerous” armed gang who kidnapped and brutally tortured a man for eight hours have been jailed.
The victim named only as Ibrahimi, 20, was waterboarded, beaten and forced to ask friends to provide a £50,000 ransom, while being threatened with guns and knives at a flat in Odet Court, Cardiff.
He was stabbed multiple times and had boiling water poured on his abdomen and groin.
Fortune Lawson, 27, and associates recruited from London bundled Ibrahimi into an Audi Q5 blindfolded and handcuffed.
They forced him to another safehouse on Livingstone Walk, Hemel Hempstead where the horrifying ordeal continued in December 2020.Ibrahimi was forced to arrange for money and a Rolex watch to be handed over. A dangerous attack dog was also used to control and frighten the victim.
Armed police aided by hostage negotiators eventually rescued Ibrahimi, Cardiff Crown Court heard.
He spent five days in hospital with “grave” injuries and had to undergo surgery three months later.
DNA evidence from the first property led officers to identify a second victim who had also been held against his will and repeatedly assaulted at the same address.
For their part Lawson, of Cardiff, was sentenced to 25 years; Arnold Fumumeya, 27, of Mary Close, Stanmore, Harrow, 13 years; David Assapour, 33, of Pinner Driver, Harrow, 15 years; Gideon Lawson, 24, of Windrush Road, Brent, 12 years; Micaiah Marley, 30, of Leavesden Road, Watford, 15 years; Denis Delishaj, 24, of Marshall Close, Harrow, eight years and eight months; and Ahmed Omar, 29, of Armfield Crescent, Mitcham, nine years.
Stephen Issac, 66, of Livingstone Walk, Hemel Hempstead, received six years imprisonment.
Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS Cymru-Wales, said: “The torture suffered by the victims in this case is almost beyond belief. In their pursuit of money, those responsible were seemingly willing to inflict maximum suffering.
“The ringleader and mastermind, Fortune Lawson, planned the extortions like military operations.
“He targeted men who trusted him and who he had identified as possessing high-value goods or significant amounts of money.
“Others in the gang had varying roles – but each was aware of the terrifying ordeal the victims were being put through. They all took steps to avoid being implicated, including wearing masks, balaclavas and gloves.
“Thankfully these dangerous and violent men have now been brought to justice, but the suffering of the victims and the impact of their injuries goes on.
“I want to express my utmost gratitude to the victims for their courage in making statements and giving evidence in this case which ultimately enabled us to secure convictions.”
Detective Superintendent Darren George, head of South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This has been one of the UK’s most complicated kidnap investigations in recent times and it has taken nearly three years to convict these nine individuals.
“We hope our investment into this crime and sentences handed down send a clear message to those intent on bringing this sort of violence to our streets.
“We will relentlessly pursue you with everything at our disposal and you will go to jail.”
