Charlton kidnappers from Abbey Wood, Kidbrooke and Waltham Forest jailed (From News Shopper)

Charlton kidnappers from Abbey Wood, Kidbrooke and Waltham Forest jailed

1:33pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Mark Chandler

THREE kidnappers who held a man in Charlton and demanded a £5,000 ransom from his family and friends have been jailed for a total of 33 years.

Woolwich Crown Court heard how on January 19 this year the trio snatched their 20-year-old victim from Charlton Lane, taking him in a cab to an address in nearby Greenbay Road.

He had been lured to the scene by old school friend Andre Phillips, aged 21, of Rosedale Close, Abbey Wood, on the pretext of buying iPhones from him.

Once kidnapped, he was forced to ring family and friends, asking them to hand over £5,000, but when he failed to raise the money, the men threatened to kill him.

After police were alerted to the incident, they traced the men to the address and discovered the victim being assaulted and threatened with a shotgun.

Phillips was caught trying to run away from the scene while accomplices Jamelle Baptiste, aged 19, of Wricklemarsh Road, Kidbrooke, and 24-year-old Lyndon Johnson, from Waltham Forest, were found hiding in nearby back gardens.

On October 5, Johnson and Baptiste each received a total 12 years in prison for false imprisonment, possessing a firearm, possessing a firearm with intent to commit an offence and assault.

Phillips received a nine-year sentence for false imprisonment.

They had denied all the charges.

Detective Sergeant Mick Smith, from Greenwich police, said: "The victim went through a terrifying ordeal and I am pleased with the sentence the three men have received - they are dangerous individuals and are now behind bars.

"Police in Greenwich would like to thank all the witnesses that came forward and called police when they noticed the victim being assaulted. They probably saved his life by calling us.

"I hope that this sends a clear message to anyone else trying to extort money whilst using violence and guns."