THREE Dartford thugs have been jailed for more than six years after a 19-year-old man was kidnapped, punched in the face and ordered to strip naked.

Joshua Caird, 24, of Almond Road, denied kidnap, causing actual bodily harm and witness intimidation but was found guilty following a 12 day trial at Maidstone Crown Court on May 9.

His brother James Caird, 23, also of Almond Road, and Shane Lording, 20, of Chaucer Way, pleaded guilty to kidnap and causing actual bodily harm.

The attack, in September last year, was triggered after Joshua Caird reacted to false rumours that Mr Johnson had raped a teenage girl.

Joshua Caird put the claims to Mr Johnson when the pair met in Alamein Gardens, Stone, before punching him twice in the face and head-butting him.

James Caird and Lording also punched the victim in the face before he was bundled into Lording’s car and driven to Stone railway crossing.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Israel said: “During the journey, Joshua Caird threatened to ‘get the gun out the boot if not told the truth.’

“On arrival, Joshua Caird grabbed Mr Johnson and marched him to a bridge over the railway line where he commanded him to strip naked.

“He refused, asking him if he was a pervert, and Joshua Caird then punched him repeatedly - James Caird joined in.”

Later in the attack, Joshua Caird told Mr Johnson: “Once I’ve killed you I’m going to find your daughter and kill her.”

The victim, who suffered swelling and bruising to the right eye, raised the alarm at a nearby Burger King.

However, his ordeal continued when he later ran into Joshua Caird in Dartford town centre and was told: “If you tell the police who I am I will find you and kill you.”

In mitigation, Judge Philip Statman was handed a letter from Joshua Caird’s parents, describing him as “a reliable and dependable member of the family.”

James Martin, defending father-of-two James Caird, said: “As much as he loves to see his children, seeing them is a constant reminder of how much he has let them down.”

Defending Lording, Catherine Stock said he “is easily influenced” and played only “a limited part” in the attack.

The court also heard how Joshua Caird, who was expelled from school at 14, has 14 previous convictions for 43 offences while James Caird has 15 previous convictions.

On sentencing, Judge Statman said: “How wicked to cry rape in these circumstances.

“But instead of having this matter properly investigated by the police, all three of you joined together to take the law into your own hands.”

Joshua Caird was jailed for four years, James Caird for 21 months - minus the 272 days he has been in custody – and Lording for 12 months.