London Kidnappers Sentenced for Prolonged Torture and Sexual Assault of Victim
Five individuals from London have been handed significant prison sentences for their roles in a horrific kidnapping case that involved the prolonged physical and sexual torture of a 38-year-old man. The victim was abducted in broad daylight, blindfolded, force-fed, and threatened with vicious dogs during a nightmare attack that spanned multiple locations.
Details of the Kidnapping and Rescue Operation
The incident began on April 26 last year when police were alerted by a concerned neighbour in Dorking, Surrey, at approximately 12:20 pm. The neighbour reported that the victim had been kidnapped by two or three men wearing balaclavas. The abductors transported the man to an address in Reigate, where he was blindfolded and force-fed while two dogs were aggressively baited to instill fear of an attack.
Subsequently, the victim was taken to another location in Farnborough, Hampshire, where he endured a severe physical and sexual ordeal. The following day, his brother received multiple calls with demands to secure the victim's release. In a coordinated effort, officers from Hampshire Constabulary raided the gang's hideout around 4:30 pm that afternoon, successfully rescuing the victim from further harm.
Arrests and Court Proceedings
At the scene, police arrested four individuals: Reece Armstrong, 30, from Staines-upon-Thames; Tarelle Thompson, 28, of Croydon, South London; Lorna Swyer, 21, of Dorking, Surrey; and Levi Burton, 31, from Leatherhead, Surrey. A fifth gang member, Sebastian Love, 21, from Merton, South London, was identified as the person who made the demand calls and was later arrested and charged.
The case proceeded to Guildford Crown Court, where Armstrong and Thompson were found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap following a six-week trial in December 2025. Armstrong also faced additional convictions for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, resulting in a nine-year sentence on top of a separate five-year term from last year. Thompson was found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon and received a nine-year sentence, with five years on license.
Sentencing and Legal Outcomes
Swyer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and common assault, receiving a sentence of three years and four months. Love also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and was jailed for three years and four months. Burton was found guilty of sexual assault after the trial and had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, and assaulting a police officer. He was sentenced on February 23 to 12 years' imprisonment plus five years on license and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Police Response and Community Impact
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, emphasized the swift action taken by law enforcement: “As soon as we became aware that a kidnap had taken place, officers worked at pace to locate the victim as quickly as possible. He was located the day after he’d been kidnapped, and had been subjected to what amounted to torture at the hands of Armstrong, Burton, Love, Swyer and Thompson.”
Edey added, “No one should have to endure the ordeal they had put him through and the sentencing today has ensured they will spend a long time in prison, where they belong.” This case highlights the severe consequences of violent crime in London and the dedicated efforts of police to bring perpetrators to justice, providing a measure of closure for the victim and his family.
