Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Three men have been jailed after kidnapping a pregnant mother from outside her home and threatening to cut her fingers off as they spoke to her terrified partner on the phone.
They were convicted following a detailed investigation by the Met Police which tracked down the van used in the kidnapping and compiled forensic evidence to prove the suspects’ involvement.
- Audi Johnson, 35 (24.12.1989) of Cranberry Close, Northolt had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and was sentenced to five years and four months.
- Ahmad Ghiasi, 26 (04.10.1998), of Fourth Avenue, Luton was sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to kidnap.
- Nicholas Mitchell, 55 (23.04.1970) of Mannock Close, Barnet was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy to kidnap.
Detective Inspector Ari Yoganathan, of the Flying Squad, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “The victim was leaving her home to see her personal trainer on a morning that should have been like any other. That a pregnant mother should be bundled into a van and kidnapped from outside her home, bound and subjected to horrific threats is a disgusting and terrifying crime.
“Officers were able to track her attackers through forensic analysis of CCTV and phone data, recordings and intelligence.
“This verdict shows how we are taking the fight to criminal gangs and committed to supporting the local communities they intimidate and threaten.”
The 36-year-old woman, who was six months pregnant, left her home on the morning of Friday, 10 May 2024 to wait for a cab to take her to a personal training session with her mother and sister.
But as she walked along the curb close to her Enfield home, she was suddenly grabbed and thrown into the back of a white Ford Transit van.
Her attackers bound her hands with cable ties as they quickly drove away before questioning her about her partner – with one demanding: “If you lie to me I’m gonna kick the baby out your stomach.”
In a series of terrifying phone calls, the men called her partner and threatened to cut off her fingers if he did not quickly carry out their demands for money and valuable jewellery.
Johnson, Ghiasi and Mitchell were members of a London-based gang, who had been contracted to carry out the kidnapping.
Despite being blindfolded and bound at the wrist, when the woman was left alone in the van she managed to escape the vehicle, before flagging down a cab and travelling to the safety of her mother’s house.
The Met’s Flying Squad responded to the crime immediately. They subsequently tracked the van using CCTV and were able to locate the vehicle the same night the hostage was recovered. Officers were then able to identify the suspects using DNA evidence, fingerprint impressions and mobile phone data.
Johnson, Ghiasi and Mitchell were found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap on Tuesday, 3 June following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court.
In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman said that she has not been able to go home since the traumatic ordeal, and spent the rest of her pregnancy sleeping on her sister’s couch.
She said: “The incident ruined my life. I will never be the same person again. I am having to start my life all over again.
“I will forever have fear and paranoia as part of my life now. I didn’t deserve to be a victim of what happened to me. And to top it off, it was all made so much worse by being pregnant.
“This will always be something that will be part of my pregnancy, which is meant to be a happy experience, and will always be something that is a part of my daughter.”
Media assets can be downloaded here: https://mps.box.com/s/oahjylrbdpo2pc33x1mn2wljo7m6emmv