Ruthless gang terrified victims

A gang of robbers carried out "unimaginably" terrifying attacks during a four-month reign of terror across London, a court was told.

The gang cruised London late at night kidnapping motorists and pedestrians, Wood Green Crown Court heard.

One victim was even warned he would be locked in the boot of his car and burnt alive if he did not comply.

Peter Frota, 19, his brother Luis and Sofian Majera, both 22, and Robert Lincoln, 18, admitted 17 robberies.

Francis Sheridan, prosecuting said: "The violence inflicted was ruthless and severe and bordered on the unimaginable so far as their victims were concerned."

"They were naturally fearful for their lives and utterly terrified by their ordeal."

Beaten unconscious

After being kidnapped, the victims were driven to different parts of London during their ordeal.

They were cowed into handing over their valuables and pin numbers and many victims were beaten unconscious and left covered in blood.

One man, who was so paralysed by fear that he could not tell his attackers what they wanted to know, had his arm stamped on several times and broken.

Many of the victims were now too scared to go out alone, while others repeatedly changed their routes home. One was even considering moving house.

The gang of foreign nationals - who all now face deportation - also pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to rob and two counts of handling stolen goods between August 31 and December 14 last year.

A sentencing hearing on the gang is expected to last two days.