Horror as man was kidnapped, force-fed and sexually assaulted by gang | UK | News
The 38-year-old actress was subjected to long-term harassment from Reece Armstrong, Tarelle Thompson, Lorna Swyer, Levi Burton and Sebastian Love (Image: Surrey Police)
A gang who kidnapped a man and subjected him to harrowing ‘torture’ including force-feeding, sexual assault and threatening him with dogs have been sentenced to prison.
The court heard the 38-year-old actor was subjected to long-term harassment from Reece Armstrong, Tarelle Thompson, Lorna Swyer, Levi Burton and Sebastian Love.
The Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Squad received a call from a neighbor of the victim on April 26 last year reporting that he had been kidnapped by two or three balaclava men.
Officers said he was then taken to an address in Reigate, Surrey, where he was blindfolded and force-fed. Two dogs on the property were also made agitated to create fear that they would be attacked.
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The victim was then transported to an address in Farnborough, Hampshire, where she was subjected to sustained assault and sexual assault, according to Surrey Police.
The next day, the victim’s brother received a series of phone calls requesting his release. But at around 4.30pm the same day, officers from Hampshire Constabulary tracked down the victim and arrested Armstrong, Thompson, Swyer and Burton.
Investigations conducted by the investigation team identified Sebastian Love as the person making the ransom calls, leading to his arrest and charges. All defendants were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 20 February, following a six-week trial in December 2025.
Armstrong, 30, of Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, Section 18 assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to a consecutive nine-year sentence following an unrelated five-year sentence handed down in July 2025.
Reece Armstrong. A group that kidnapped a man and subjected him to horrific torture, including force-feeding and sexual assault, have been jailed. Five people who kidnapped a 38-year-old man and subjected him to long-term abuse were collectively sentenced to 36 years in prison. On April 26, 2025, the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Squad received a call from a neighbor of the victim who said he had been abducted by two or three men wearing balaclavas. He was taken to an address in Reigate, Surrey, where he was blindfolded, force-fed and two dogs on the property were made agitated so he feared they would attack him. (Image: Surrey Police)
Thompson, 28, of Croydon, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and possessing an offensive weapon and received nine years in prison and five years on licence.
Swyer, 21, of Dorking, admitted conspiracy to kidnap and common assault and was jailed for three years and four months.
Love, 21, of Merton, admitted kidnapping conspiracy and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
Burton, 31, of Leatherhead, was convicted of sexual assault at trial and had previously admitted conspiracy to kidnap, false arrest and assault on a police officer.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years on license on Monday and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Tarelle Thompson. A group that kidnapped a man and subjected him to horrific torture, including force-feeding and sexual assault, have been jailed. Five people who kidnapped a 38-year-old man and subjected him to long-term abuse were collectively sentenced to 36 years in prison. On April 26, 2025, the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Squad received a call from a neighbor of the victim who said he had been abducted by two or three men wearing balaclavas. He was taken to an address in Reigate, Surrey, where he was blindfolded, force-fed and two dogs on the property were made agitated so he feared they would attack him. (Image: Surrey Police)
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey said: “As soon as we learned that an abduction had occurred, officers worked quickly to locate the victim as quickly as possible.
“He was located the day after he was kidnapped and tortured by Armstrong, Burton, Love, Swyer and Thompson.
“No one should have to endure the ordeal they inflicted on themselves, and today’s sentence ensures they will remain in prison for a long time where they belong.”
