A 'GANG' of six who kidnapped a businessman after taking the law into their own hands have been jailed for a total of 43 years.

The men, mostly from Eastleigh and Southampton, had been due to stand trial this week over the kidnap, but changed their plea to guilty at the last minute.

Daniel Harkins, 38, of Sherborne Road, Eastleigh; Jamie Kingston, 41, of Paynes Road, Shirley; Leroy King, 36, of Dutton Lane, Eastleigh; Rodney Traves, 48, of Croydon Close, Southampton; Peter Chamberlain, 50, of Chaucer Road, Southampton and Alan Boddy, 47, of Goldingham Drive, Essex, all admitted kidnapping Richard Baker as well as conspiracy to falsely imprison.

Winchester Crown Court heard how they took Mr Baker from his premises in West End as they were on a mission to find two people they believed were connected to an arson at Samson's Gym – owned by Harkins.

They went after Mr Baker, as they believed he had the telephone number of a man connected to the arson.

Addressing the six men, who he described as a gang, before sentencing, Judge Peter Henry said they had taken Mr Baker, who has had to relocate several times since the incident and change his identity, before assaulting and threatening him.

The court heard that as well as being punched, a screwdriver was put up his nose.

Judge Henry sentenced Harkins to nine years for his role as the "ringleader", "right-hand man" Kingston was given eight years, while King and Chamberlain received seven years.

Boddy and Traves were sentence to six years.

Judge Henry said they would all serve no more than half behind bars, with the rest being served on licence.