Five Perpetrators Sentenced for Brutal Kidnapping and Torture Case
A group of five individuals has been handed substantial prison terms for the kidnapping and prolonged torture of a 38-year-old man, in a case described by police as involving horrific abuse. The victim was subjected to force-feeding, sexual assault, and psychological terror, including threats from agitated dogs, during the ordeal last year.
Details of the Kidnapping and Investigation
The Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team initiated an investigation after receiving a call from a neighbour on April 26, 2025. The report indicated that the victim had been abducted by two or three men wearing balaclavas. He was then transported to an address in Reigate, Surrey, where he was blindfolded and force-fed. Police noted that dogs at the property were deliberately agitated to instill fear of an attack.
Subsequently, the victim was moved to a location in Farnborough, Hampshire, where he endured a prolonged physical assault and sexual assault. The following day, his brother received multiple calls with demands for his release. However, by approximately 4:30 PM on that same day, officers from Hampshire Constabulary successfully located the victim and arrested four suspects: Reece Armstrong, Tarelle Thompson, Lorna Swyer, and Levi Burton.
Arrests and Court Proceedings
Further enquiries by the investigation team identified Sebastian Love as the individual responsible for making the demand calls. He was subsequently arrested and charged. All five defendants faced trial at Guildford Crown Court in December 2025, culminating in sentencing on February 20, 2026, with an additional sentencing for one defendant on February 23.
Reece Armstrong, aged 30 from Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, Section 18 assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent, and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon. He received a nine-year prison sentence, to be served consecutively with an unrelated five-year term imposed in July 2025.
Tarelle Thompson, aged 28 from Croydon, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment, with an additional five years on license.
Lorna Swyer, aged 21 from Dorking, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and common assault. She was given a prison term of three years and four months.
Sebastian Love, aged 21 from Merton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and received a sentence of three years and four months imprisonment.
Levi Burton, aged 31 from Leatherhead, was found guilty of sexual assault following the trial. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, and assaulting a police officer. Sentenced on February 23, 2026, he received 12 years imprisonment plus five years on license and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Police Response and Statements
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, commented on the case, stating: "As soon as we became aware that a kidnap had taken place, officers worked at pace to locate the victim as quickly as possible. He was located the day after he’d been kidnapped, and had been subjected to what amounted to torture at the hands of Armstrong, Burton, Love, Swyer, and Thompson."
DCI Edey added: "No one should have to endure the ordeal they had put him through and the sentencing today has ensured they will spend a long time in prison, where they belong." The swift police action and thorough investigation were credited with bringing the perpetrators to justice and ending the victim's suffering.
