Beckton kidnapper goes to prison

SHAHIDUL ISLAM of Covelees Wall, E6, is only 23 years of age – but the rest of his 20s will be spent in jail after he was convicted on one count of kidnap and another of robbery.

The kidnap took place on 11th March last year, when Islam and three accomplices kidnapped a 19 year old man in Beckton. The victim was taken to a secluded area near Royal Dock Road, where he was assaulted and threatened with a gun. He was then driven to his home in Kent. The gang then stole two vehicles – making the victim hand over their registration documents – and a tablet and £300.

The victim’s ordeal didn’t end there. The gang drove him back to Beckton and made him transfer £200 from his bank account then and there and pay them a further £10,000 within a week. The victim was also repeatedly kicked and punched by his kidnappers, leaving him with cuts and bruises.

Three of the gang were quickly found – and were found guilty of kidnap, robbery and assault at Wood Green Crown Court in October last year. They were Kousar Ahmed, 23, of Linton Gardens, E6; Riaz Ahmed, 23, of Whitchurch Road, RM3; an a 16 year old from E6. The 23 year olds were each sentenced to seven years in prison and the juvenile was sentenced to three years in prison.

Islam, however, went on the run. Worried that such a dangerous young man was at loose, possibly in the East End, the police persisted in their search for him and in January 2017 they issued a media appeal. Seeing the media attention, Islam handed himself in on 18th January – three days after the police appeal appeared in East London News. He was charged later that day.

Islam was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 9th June of kidnap an robbery. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for the kidnap and five years for the robbery – the sentences to be served concurrently.

Detective Constable Raf Patel from Newham CID said, “This victim suffered continued violence at the hands of the suspects. The ordeal will have a lasting impact. I am pleased that all of those involved in this crime have now been convicted and face a lengthy imprisonment.”

•Read more about it:
Police still seeking kidnap suspect
Man charged with car theft after tot kidnap

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