A LEYTON man has been jailed for kidnapping and threatening to kill a 20-year-old unless a £5,000 ransom was paid.

Lyndon Johnson, 24, of Griggs Road, was convicted along with two other men after subjecting their victim to what police described as a "terrifying ordeal" in January.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that the trio arranged to meet the man at an address in Charlton on the pretence of selling him some iPhones.

But instead they grabbed him and threatened him with a shotgun, demanding he call family and friends to bring cash to the gang.

When he failed to raise the money the men said they would kill him.

But luckily a passer-by had earlier seen the 20-year being kidnapped and called police, who arrived at the scene just in time and arrested the men nearby.

Johnson was sentenced to a total of 12 years, as was accomplice Jamelle Baptiste, 19, of Wricklemarsh Road in Kidbrooke.

A third defendant Andre Phillips, 21, of Rosedale Close, Abbey Wood, was jailed for nine years.

Johnson and Baptiste were caught trying to hide in a back garden close to the scene while Phillips was arrested as he tried to run away from officers.

Detective Sergeant Mick Smith, who headed the investigation, said: "The victim went through a terrifying ordeal and I am pleased with the sentence the three men have received - they are dangerous individuals and are now behind bars.

"Police in Greenwich would like to thank all the witnesses that came forward and called police when they noticed the victim being assaulted.

"They probably saved his life by calling us."

He added: "I hope that this sends a clear message to anyone else trying to extort money whilst using violence and guns.

"We will thoroughly investigate incidents of this kind and will do all that we can to bring those responsible to court".

All defendants pleaded not guilty.

Johnson was convicted of charges including false imprisonment, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence and assault.

A cab driver who took the men to the kidnap scene was found not guilty of being involved by the jury.