A KIDNAP gang who beat and plotted to murder two men are facing years behind bars. Ringleader Joseph Hadji, 27, of Ashmore Road, Queen s Park, was among six men who burst into the W10 Sports Shop in Ladbroke Grove in August last year and threatened two s

A KIDNAP gang who beat and plotted to murder two men are facing years behind bars.

Ringleader Joseph Hadji, 27, of Ashmore Road, Queen's Park, was among six men who burst into the W10 Sports Shop in Ladbroke Grove in August last year and threatened two staff members.

Armed with a firearm, the gang handcuffed the terrified pair, one a friend of singer Lily Allen, and forced them into a car after ransacking the shop.

The hostages were then taken to a gang member's home in south east London for seven days where they were blindfolded with duct tape, handcuffed, beaten and threatened with torture and told they would be killed.

Ransom demands were then made to the families of the hostages and police from the kidnap unit mounted a covert operation following an anonymous tip off.

Kishmore Kumpati, 29, of south east London, was spotted parking near the entrance to the flat in Thamesmead a week later.

A second vehicle then arrived and bags were taken to and fro before the handcuffed victims were taken from the flats and armed police swooped, rescuing the hostages and arresting four men.

Officers believe the victims were being prepared for execution as they had been showered and dressed in black bin liners.

Det Insp Steve Wagstaff, Kidnap Unit, said: "This was a violent and organised kidnap where those responsible showed little concern for the welfare of the two hostages, holding them in extreme conditions and exposing them to violence and psychological torture."

Police are now calling for help in tracking down five men who burst into the shop with Hadji during the initial kidnapping.

Det Insp Wagstaff said: "We would urge anyone who recognises any of the outstanding suspects to contact us."

The case concluded at Southwark Crown Court on Friday where Hadji pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnap and halfway through the trial pleaded guilty to one count of blackmail.

Two counts of false imprisonment have been left to lie on file.

Kumpati and Paul Wigan, 29 of south east London, both pleaded guilty to two counts of false imprisonment and one count of blackmail.

Three other men, Jason Goode, 27, Thijseen Elliot, 28, both of south east London, and Virgil Percival, 36, of east London, were found guilty of a variety of offences such as blackmail, false imprisonment and kidnap.

The group are due to be sentenced on 12 October.