Men jailed for kidnapping teenage couple and Tasering man's genitals in dispute over money

A gang who kidnapped a young couple at a house party before subjecting them to a two-day ordeal have been jailed.

Shaan Khanyal and Arbaaz Chauhan, both 24 and from Coventry, pleaded guilty to robbery, kidnap and false imprisonment at Warwick Crown Court and were sentenced on Monday.

Matis Cohene, 18, of Coventry, who was only 15 at the time of the incident in October 2017, also pleaded guilty to the same offences.

Khanyal told a woman who attended the party that she owed money for the food and drinks, and she and her partner agreed to hand over £30 by the end of the month, West Midlands Police said.

However, Khanyal insisted on meeting the pair, who were both aged 19, at a flat in Radford rather than be sent a bank transfer.

When they arrived, the couple were told to deactivate the location settings on their phones as they handed over the money before the man was taken for a drive “to be taught a lesson”.

Chauhan took the man in his Audi A3 back to his home address before using a Taser all over his body and hitting him with a steering lock, knocking him out.

The group of men then stripped the man naked and threw eggs and flour at him.

The gang stole his PS4, jewellery and other property, and he was forced to dress in his girlfriend’s clothes before being taken to an ATM where he was made to withdraw £240.

He and his girlfriend were then taken to another house where the boyfriend was burned with a cigarette and slapped.

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The couple were then ordered to close their eyes and the girlfriend was told a gun with a silencer had been put against her head.

The next day a man called “Max” threatened the girlfriend before subjecting her to more humiliating abuse.

Daniel Oscroft, prosecuting, said: “Max produced a butcher’s knife and held it to her throat and she was told to write down the names of everyone she had told about the previous day.

“Khanyal then poured juice over her and Chauhan squeezed talc over her head.

“They opened the attic and told her to go up, but she would not go.”

Hours later the gang cut off her long blonde hair and sprayed Fabreze air freshener into her mouth.

A Taser was then used on the boyfriend’s genitals before the gang stole more of their valuables.

The next day the couple were released and they reported the ordeal to police.

In a victim impact statement, the male victim said: “Because of these events I have moved away from Coventry and my friends and family.

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“I have had to start a whole new life, and I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.”

Khanyal was sentenced to 10 years and five months in prison, while Chauhan was sentenced to nine years for the same offences. The teenager was given a two-year detention and training order.

DC Richard Walker, from force CID, said: “This was an absolutely sickening sustained attack on two people who had done nothing wrong. They were hounded, harassed and humiliated and I hope the prison sentences offer them some comfort after what they went through.

“I am glad to see these men behind bars and I would always urge anyone who has ever been subjected to anything of this nature to come forward. We will always do all we can to find those responsible.”