Gunpoint Kidnap Duo Nabbed and Jailed for 17 Years!
Two men who kidnapped a man, threatened him with a gun, then blackmailed his family have been locked up for more than 17 years. The pair were sentenced last Friday, 22 November, after a tense three-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Kidnap and Blackmail Horror in Leyton
On the night of 25 October 2018, just after 10.30pm, cops were alerted when a man reported his brother-in-law had been snatched at gunpoint outside his Leyton home (E10). The victim was dragged into a waiting vehicle, sparking a harrowing two-hour ordeal.
The hostage’s wife then received chilling ransom calls from her husband’s phone, threatening to keep him unless between £2,000 and £5,000 was paid. Thankfully, the man was released with only minor injuries—despite a gun pressed to his chest and throat, and a knife shoved into his head.
Two Men Brought Down by CCTV and Phone Forensics
The victim had previously met the kidnappers while fixing mobile phones for them. Police cracked the case using call data and CCTV footage that tracked the getaway vehicle.
Officers swooped in October 2018, arresting 38-year-old Carlos Boente of Edwin Street, E16, and 20-year-old Aqeel Smith of High Road, RM6. Both were found with the victim’s phone and a replica firearm in their possession.
Heavy Sentences for Ruthless Thugs
- Carlos Boente: Found guilty of kidnap, firearm possession during a crime, blackmail, and theft. Sentenced to 9½ years behind bars.
- Aqeel Smith: Found guilty of the same charges. Sentenced to 8 years in prison.
“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 ordeal,” said Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rick Sewart from the Met’s Flying Squad.
“We may never know exactly why the victim was kidnapped, but thanks to the hard work of my detectives, these two men have been caught and will face a hefty custodial sentence.”
