Four men have been jailed for a total of nearly 30 years for kidnapping a 21-year-old man because he was dating the 17-year-old sister of two of the gang. The victim was abducted outside his home in Telford, Shropshire, on December 29, 2025, and subjected to a harrowing ordeal in a shipping container.
Kidnapping and Torture
The victim was bundled into the boot of a black Audi A4, with his legs still hanging out, and driven away. He was then held captive in a shipping container, chosen because it was 'isolated, secure, out of public view and capable of being controlled,' according to the prosecution. Inside, he was tied to a chair and tortured. Judge Trevor Meegan, presiding at Shrewsbury Crown Court, stated that the kidnap was driven by 'perceived family honour' and involved extensive planning. 'He was degraded and filmed, threatened with death and made to believe he would not leave alive,' the judge said.
Roles of the Gang Members
The judge identified brothers Ehteshan Hussain, 22, and Shayyan Hussain, 24, as having 'occupied a leading operational role' in the kidnap and assault. Their distant cousins, Faheem Chohan, also 24, and Jawad Hussain, 21, 'willingly participated.' Prosecutor Jake Guise revealed that the attackers had previously been close to the victim, having gone on holiday together, eaten together, and attended the same mosque. However, the relationship soured when the victim began messaging the Hussain brothers' sister.
Campaign of Intimidation
In the weeks leading up to the kidnapping, the gang embarked on a campaign of intimidation, driving cars past the victim's house or following him on the motorway as he drove to work. On one occasion, a car stopped in front of him and one of the defendants got out, confronting him with a baseball bat. The attack itself occurred on December 29, when the victim was at home in Arleston with his mother. At 2:18 pm, a car pulled up, and three men stormed into the house, dragged him out, pushing his mother to the ground and driving over her arm as she tried to intervene.
Ransom Demand and Escape
The victim was taken to a storage unit in Eyton, Shropshire, leased by Ehteshan. The kidnappers called the victim's father and demanded £20,000, threatening that the victim would 'not be coming home' if the money wasn't paid. The victim was forced to speak on the phone, begging his family to hand over the cash. Haider Ali, 22, who is due to be sentenced separately, arrived 20 minutes later in a VW Passat and left after 10 minutes, followed by the Audi containing two kidnappers. They dumped the Audi at Lilleshall Golf Club and left together in the VW. Ali later returned to the unit to collect the other two men at 3:44 pm, leaving the victim locked inside and tied to a chair. The Audi was reported to police, and CCTV led to Ali's arrest at 4:53 pm on suspicion of kidnap.
Evidence and Sentencing
While in custody, Ali received a video at 7:11 pm showing the victim stripped naked and repeatedly punched in the face, forced to apologize to the Hussain brothers' father. This helped identify the other perpetrators: Jawad, Shayyan, and Ehteshan Hussain, and Faheem Chohan. After Ali's arrest, the gang returned around 8 pm, put the victim into another car, and drove towards north Shropshire. At some point, the attackers got out, giving the victim a chance to escape. He locked the doors, saw the keys in the ignition, and drove off, seeking help at a takeaway in Whitchurch, where staff called police. The victim suffered severe facial fractures, a torn retina, rib injuries, and bruising on his hands and arms. He has since experienced 'profound and enduring consequences,' including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and said he 'rarely leaves the house' and that the kidnap has 'changed my life.' Shayyan and Ehteshan Hussain and Faheem Chohan were each jailed for seven-and-a-half years. Jawad Hussain received a seven-year prison sentence.
