Brutal Kidnap and Torture Rocks Luton
Idnan Akbar, Safed Rafiq, and Dawud Safeer held a man hostage in a Luton bedroom for up to eight hours. During this nightmare, the victim endured what police called “unimaginable cruelty.”
Horrific Assault Details Emerge
- The victim was battered with a baseball bat, punched, and hammered.
- His nose and mouth were blocked to stop him breathing.
- The attackers used a telephone charger cable to strangle him and pressed a knee into his neck.
- Akbar first attacked with a machete, then heated the blade to burn the victim—inflicting excruciating pain.
“During this incident, I honestly thought they were going to kill me and I didn’t think it was going to stop,” the victim told police.
Police Foil Kidnap After 999 Tip-Off
An anonymous 999 call alerted Bedfordshire Police to the torture unfolding inside a property on Ash Road. Officers stormed the house, arresting 13 men and 2 women on charges including kidnap.
Inside, they found knives, machetes, drugs, and the victim locked in an upstairs bedroom, visibly traumatised and hurt. He still needs corrective bone surgery and hides scars to avoid reliving the horror.
Justice Served: Jail Terms for Attackers
- Safed Rafiq, 37, admitted to kidnapping after accusing the victim of damaging a Mercedes window. He got 10 years and 2 months plus 5 years and 5 months concurrently for GBH.
- Idnan Akbar, 32, who fled before his arrest five months later, received 7 years and 2 months plus 5 years and 5 months concurrent for GBH.
- Dawud Safeer, 25, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and GBH, sentenced to 5 years and 10 months plus 13 months concurrently.
Detective Constable Adam Geary said: “These three men subjected the victim to unimaginable cruelty. Their actions are vile, inhumane, and barbaric. This is the most disturbing and grotesque case I have encountered. Evil like this belongs behind bars. I hope these sentences offer some justice to the victim and his loved ones.”
DC Geary added that while shocking, such barbarism is thankfully rare. The victim is now receiving physical and emotional support to aid his long recovery.
