Gunpoint Kidnappers Sent Down for 17 Years After Shocking £5,000 Ransom Plot
Two men who kidnapped a man at gunpoint and terrorised his family with ransom threats have been locked up for a combined 17 years. The chilling ordeal unfolded in Leyton, East London, back in 2018, ending with a dramatic courtroom showdown at 1 Crown Court.
Kidnap, Guns, and Threats: The Full Story
The terrifying incident happened just after 10.30pm on 25 October 2018. The victim was grabbed outside his home in Leyton, forced into a car, and held at gun and knife-point for two hours.
His wife received chilling calls from his phone demanding a ransom of up to £5,000 for his release.
Thankfully, the man escaped with only minor injuries – but the trauma ran deep. He told police he’d met the kidnappers before while fixing their mobile phones.
How Cops Cracked the Case
- CCTV footage tracked the kidnap vehicle.
- Call data from the victim’s phone helped link the suspects.
- Investigators found a replica firearm and the victim’s phone when arresting the culprits.
The two men, Carlos Boente, 38, and Aqeel Smith, 20, were arrested within weeks of the attack and charged with kidnap, blackmail, firearms offences, and theft.
Justice Served: Long Jail Terms for Kidnappers
Last Friday, after a tense three-week trial, the judge handed down hefty sentences. Boente was jailed for 9½ years, while Smith got eight years behind bars.
“This was a terrifying experience for the victim, who was bundled into a car and threatened with both a gun and a knife during his two-hour long ordeal,” said Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rick Sewart of the Met’s Flying Squad.
“Thanks to the hard work and diligence of my detectives, these men have faced justice and a substantial custodial sentence.”
Thankfully, no ransom was paid and the victim is now safe, but the haunting memory of this violent crime will linger for years to come.
