Police inquiry over torture claim

Police are treating the allegation as a serious case

An investigation is under way into allegations that a teenager was kidnapped and tortured in his Exeter flat.

Police were called to the Alphington area of the city at around 2000 GMT on Sunday.

The 16-year-old boy had contacted the emergency services, saying he had been held captive for 24 hours, but had managed to escape.

He is being treated at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for injuries to his head and body.

Three women and two men have been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and grievous bodily harm and are being questioned at Exeter police station.

PC Roy Adams of Devon and Cornwall Police said it was a very serious case.

He said:"It would appear that the youth was kept in his flat for up to 24 hours and we are investigating the assaults on him during that period."