Two men from Brent who carried out a terrifying kidnap and shot at police officers during a pursuit in Hertfordshire have been jailed for more than 16 years.
Clayton McKenzie, 36, of High Street, Harlesden, and David Rhoden, 28, of Flowers Close, Neasden, snatched 30-year-old Adriatik Berisha as he walked in St Albans on November 16 last year.
St Albans Crown Court heard he was beaten unconscious and thrown in the back of their silver Peugeot 306
Several hours later the car was flagged up as having an expired MOT during an Automatic Number Plate Recognition operation by police on The M1 but it failed to stop.
A high speed police chase of more than 100MPH took place which ended in Edgware when bot men fled the vehicle.
Asofficers fgave chase on foot Rhoden, who was brandishin two guns, fired at PC Chris Kouwenberg.
Both man escaped but were subsequently arrested days after.
Mr Berisha was found by officers tied up in the back of the car and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Both men were found guilty of kidnap, carrying a firearm with criminal intent, possession of Class A drug with intent to supply, possessing a firearm at the time of committing an offence and ABH.
Rhoden was also convicted of making use of a firearm with intent to resist arrest and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Yesterday Rhoden was sentenced to 10 years and 190 days and McKenzie received six years and 190 days.
Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “McKenzie tried to claim to police that his car had been stolen and that he had in fact been kidnapped and dumped in a country lane and denied any involvement in the offences despite being identified from CCTV stills by another police officer.
“Rhoden failed to answer police questions, but during the trial also denied the offences. “The jury saw through their lies and found them guilty despite their denials.”
DCI Jason Gordon from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who led the investigation, added: “These two men took a man from the street in broad daylight making threats to kill him, before putting officers lives at risk in an attempt to evade arrest.
“Clearly these men are dangerous and I am pleased with the sentences they have been given.
Related links: Neasden man denies attempting to murder policeman, kidnap, drugs and guns offences
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