Gang members jailed for torture

The men were tortured with a hammer and electric iron

Two gang leaders who kidnapped and tortured two men from north London have each been jailed for 12 years at the Old Bailey.

Mark Lambie, 30, of Streatham, south London, and fellow gang leader Anthony Bourne, 21, of Tottenham, were jailed for kidnap and blackmail offences.

Gang members Warren Leader, 21, Wood Green, north London, was jailed for 11 years and Francis Osei, 20, of Tottenham, was jailed for nine years.

The four men were jailed for kidnapping their victims and torturing them with a hammer, an electric iron, and boiling water poured on their genitals.

Lambie instilled fear said police

Old Bailey Judge Martin Stephens told them: "The sentences I pass must reflect the public's outrage for the use of guns and violence by men who believe themselves above the law.

"Crimes are too prevalent and blight the lives of the whole community."

He said the evidence in the case had shocked and disturbed those who heard it.

He said the gang's two victims - Gregory Smith and Twaine Morris - had shown "considerable courage" in standing up to their tormentors and giving evidence against them.

Nicholas Hilliard, prosecuting, said Mr Smith and Mr Morris has been kidnapped and tortured at gunpoint.

Mr Smith managed to escape after leading gang members to a barber's which they robbed.

Lambie was cleared of killing Pc Keith Blakelock

He ran barefoot through the streets to Tottenham police station.

Mr Morris escaped the gang by throwing himself on the bonnet of a passing police patrol car.

He was covered in blood.

As gang members were hunted, the victims were placed in police protection.

But Mr Morris later left and was shot within 24 hours.

He was hit three times and was lucky to escape death as were two passers-by hurt by flying bullets.

Most wanted list

Officers believe that Lambie's jailing is a major breakthrough in the fight against gun crime in Britain.

Lambie was cleared of murdering PC Keith Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham, north London, in 1985.

Detective Inspector Peter Lansdown said Lambie had been top of Operation Trident's most wanted list.

Mr Lansdown said: "This is a landmark prosecution for Trident. Lambie was our most prolific target.

"Such was the fear he instilled, he was confident no one would report him to the police."