SEVEN men previously convicted in relation to the kidnap will face strict restrictions when released from prison.
Serious Crime Prevention Orders have been imposed on the Organised Crime Group (OCG) who were all jailed for the kidnapping of a Cardiff man in December 2020.
The case was described by South Wales Police (SWP) as one of the UK’s most complicated kidnap investigations in recent times.
At around 4.30pm on Friday 11th December 2020, the 22-year-old man was taken from Clifton Street, Splott, to Odet Court in Pendwyallt Road, Whitchurch. Unbeknown to him, a kidnap plan was already underway by an Organised Crime Group to extort money from him, and his friends, which involved holding them at gun and knifepoint and included the demand of a £50k ransom payment to ensure his safe return.
At 7.57pm that day, SWP received a 999-call and the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team began a major investigation in which a variety of weapons were seized, including six knives, five live rounds of ammunition, a handgun, a grenade smoke bomb, and a taser disguised as a mobile telephone.
Police detectives also recovered more than 400 hours of CCTV from across five Police Force areas and took more than 1,000 statements.
The victim, who was known to a member of the London-based gang, was then transported to a separate location in Hemel Hempstead, England where he continued to be beaten, handcuffed, kept at knife point, and kept under the threat of a viciously trained attack dog.
‘Police saved my life’
During a court hearing, the victim said: “The police saved my life. I don’t believe I would have been alive unless the police came that day. I’m 100% sure. I don’t know what the reason they wanted me dead, but I’m 100% sure I would not be alive.”
In October 2023, nine men were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to a total of 116 years in custody for the kidnap.
Strict restrictions in lives
Seven of the nine men now face strict restrictions in their personal lives when they are released from prison following Serious Crime Prevention Orders imposed by Newport Crown Court this week.
The aim of a Serious Crime Prevention Order is to restrict an offender’s ability to plan, fund and commit serious crimes in the future.
For example, the orders limit how much money they can be in possession of, how many communication devices they have access to, how many bank accounts they have, where they live, and what vehicles they drive.
Orders were imposed on:
- Fortune Lawson, 28, from Ealing, London, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence.
- Davood Assadpour, 34, from Harrow, London, serving a 15-year prison sentence.
- Micaiah Marley, 31, from Watford, serving a 15-year prison sentence.
- Arnold Fumumeya, 28, from Harrow, London, serving a 13-year prison sentence.
- Alexis Mutesa, 28, from Brent, London, serving a 13-year prison sentence.
- Gideon Lawson, 25, from London, serving a 12-year prison sentence.
- Denis Delishaj, 26, from Harrow, London, convicted of blackmail, and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
A SWP spokesperson said: “All seven men must register with police the details of any vehicles they have access to and any change of address.
“They must not be in possession of more than £1k cash without good reason and must inform the police of its purpose.
“The orders will commence upon their release from custody and will be in place for the maximum duration of 5 years.”
.
- Defence solicitor bought cocaine from client
- Trio are sentenced over ‘drugs in prison’ plot
- Man found guilty of murdering his wife
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
Primary school’s former deputy head is banned from teaching
I make no apologies for calling Plaid Cymru ‘separatists’
‘The importance of participation and continued learning’
Opposition leaders clash with First Minister over independence rally
How Kevin saved a stranger’s life
