TWO “professional thugs” who came to Southampton as enforcers over a drugs deal were behind bars today knowing they will not be free until at least 2019.

Adrian McCrae, 42 and David Noel, 31, were dramatically arrested on a street in Southampton – in a notorious drugs hot spot – by two members of the city’s tactical cycle team.

At the end of the drama, police recovered a sawn off shotgun, ammunition, a pot of sulphuric acid, cable ties ready for use as handcuffs, two baseball bats and a picture of their target.

Jurors heard how McCrae and Noel had called at the wrong house in Forsters Road last December, bundled student Neil Nand – who answered the door – upstairs where he was bound, gagged and beaten.

It was only during the brutal attack they realised they had got the wrong man through a phone call to their boss and fled, leaving him still bound and gagged, threatening reprisals if he contacted the police.

They returned to Southampton about a fortnight later when they were seen with the weapons in Alma Road and arrested.

Police also found a photo of a man called Shaju Tarafdar who had been living with his girlfriend in nearby Earls Road.

Prosecutor Charles Thomas alleged: “That house is only yards away from Forsters Road. They came down on December 18 to find the person they could not find on December 1.”

McCrae, from Thames Ditton, admitted aggravated burglary, possessing the stun gun and was convicted of possessing the shotgun with intent to commit an indictable offence, which he had denied.

Noel, who lives in Luton, had denied aggravated burglary and possessing a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Judge John Boggis QC said they had gone armed, to terrorise and maim, and jailed them both for ten years. Even then, they might not be released – it will be up to the parole board to determine their future.

Judge Boggis said: “I am satisfied you were on a job and you were prepared to use serious violence to achieve your aims. You are professional thugs well used to violence.”