The victims, both in their 20s, were ambushed in Shadwell and driven to a flat in Canning Town. Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC told Inner London Crown Court that their lifestyles had been "widely published on social media" and may have attracted unwanted attention.
Stonecliffe described what followed as "cold, hard torture." Jurors heard the pair were stripped, bound with tape and cable ties, beaten, and had boiling water poured over them. They transferred $30,000 after the gang demanded $150,000.
Neither victim can be identified, as one alleged a sexual assault by two of the gang. Although the jury cleared them, the allegation engages laws protecting complainants.
The Flying Squad investigationGerson Borges and Mohamed Osman were convicted of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment. William Adebisi and Julius George were convicted of false imprisonment, and Isaac Bakoya admitted it. All were cleared of kidnap, possessing an imitation firearm and sexual assault. Adel Sineen, who crashed the gang's car into a lamppost during a 70 mph pursuit, was cleared of false imprisonment and admitted dangerous driving. The man police say directed the plot from abroad, Ibrahim Mohamed, also known as Nino, has not been arrested.
Defence barristers argued there was no kidnap, saying the Frenchmen had come to east London to buy cannabis and the demands were largely legitimate. Stonecliffe rejected that, pointing to the aggressive demands one gang member made to the Airbnb.
Both victims declined to give evidence in person, saying they were too afraid of the gang. Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier said in a statement the case was "a rare example of a conviction of this kind being secured without victim testimony."
After the verdicts had been delivered, the court heard that three of those found guilty had previous convictions for manslaughter, robbery and possessing a handgun with ammunition.
Europe's wrench attack mapAll six, Sineen included, will be sentenced in September.
