THE IMAGES of a Southampton-based crime gang that kidnapped and beat their victim on video have been released.
Eight men were locked up for almost 40 years for their part in the kidnap and attack of a man at a cannabis factory on St Andrews Road.
Video footage played at Southampton Crown Court showed a gang member holding an imitation handgun and another armed with a metal pole.
While the victim is pushed and shoved down a set of stairs a sword can be seen waved in front of the camera.
The man was eventually forced into the back of a BMW outside the property in the St Mary’s area of the city.
He can be seen being punched in the head repeatedly by one of the defendants in another clip.
Following a search of the property, police found around 96 plants with an estimated street value of around £40,000.
Appearing before Southampton Crown Court on Friday, an Albanian crime gang stood to be sentenced for the incident which happened on March 12 this year.
Armando Topalli, 28, of Thornycroft Road, Southampton, Lavdrim Ismaili, 28 of London Road, Southampton, Brixado Halilaj, 21, of Portland Street, Southampton, Arben Lleshi, 31, of Portland Street, Southampton, Aranit Topalli, 28, of St Andrews Road, Southampton, Zef Gjoka, 29, of Nightingale Road, Southampton, Edison Hoxha, 26, formerly of Romsey Road, Southampton, and Spartak Demiraj, 31 of Britannia Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, were all charged with conspiracy to commit ABH.
Hoxha was the only man not charged with kidnapping, however, he was also charged with the production of a class B drug.
Aranit Topalli faced a charge of the production of a class B drug.
Armando was charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
They pleaded guilty to all charges against them.
Judge Peter Henry, jailed them for the following terms:
Armando Topalli - 7 years and 6 months
Bixiado Halilaj – 4 years and 6 months
Arben Lleshi – 4 years and 6 months
Spartak Demiraj – 4 years
Aranit Topalli – 6 years
Zef Gjoka – 4 years and 6 months
Lavdrim Ismaili – 4 years
Edison Hoxha – 3 years and 4 months
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