A GANG which is alleged to have kidnapped a local businessman are facing time behind bars after a jury found them guilty of conspiracy to falsely imprison.

The jury at Southampton Crown Court found Samson's Gym owner Daniel Harkins and his co-defendants all guilty of conspiracy to falsely imprison a man referred to as 'G' following the four-week trial.

Luke Yeates was also found guilty of aiding an organised crime group and perverting the course of justice after the jury believed he had bought equipment used in the kidnapping as well as disposing of evidence given to him by Harkins.

Harkins’ gym was burned down weeks before the incident on January 19, and Harkins believed Richard Baker, who runs his own business at Seddul Bahr Industrial Estate, in West End, had the telephone number of a man connected to the arson.

The gang went on what prosecutor Charles Gabb described as a “revenge mission” to try and get the information.

In evidence given during the trial, Mr Baker said the group had threatened to rape his children and wife, before they put a screwdriver up his nose in a bid to make him talk.

Harkins, 36, of Sherborne Road, Eastleigh; Jamie Kingstone, 40, of Paynes Road, Shirley; Leroy King, 34, of Dutton Lane, Eastleigh; Rodney Traves, 47, of Croydon Close, Southampton; Peter Chamberlain, 49, of Chaucer Road, Southampton and Alan Boddy, 47, of Goldingham Drive, Essex; were all found guilty by the jury of conspiring to falsely imprison.

Verdicts are still to be delivered on kidnap and assault charges.

Yeates, 33, of Woodlands Way, Bursledon, will be sentenced on December 19 at Southampton Crown Court.

He was granted unconditional bail.