AN ALBANIAN crime gang has been locked up for a total of almost 40 years for kidnapping a man who broke into a Southampton cannabis factory, a court heard.

Shocking footage played at Southampton Crown Court showed the moment a criminal gang bundles a man down the stairs of a commercial cannabis factory in St Andrews Road.

One of the gang members can be seen holding an imitation handgun and another brandishing a metal pole.

Meanwhile, the man filming the video waves a sword in front of the camera.

Prosecution barrister, Kerry Maylin, told how the kidnapping victim was forced into the back of a BMW outside the property in the St Mary’s area of the city.

In another clip played at Southampton Crown Court, the man can be seen being punched in the head repeatedly by one of the defendants.

With his face covered in blood, he can be heard crying out and whimpering in pain.

The court heard how, one of the defendants, the cannabis “gardener”, heard intruders entering the building.

He called one of his codefendants who in turn made a "flurry of calls to gather the troops".

Ms Maylin told how the victim was driven around Southampton for approximately 30 minutes before being set free.

Police later found around 96 plants with an estimated street value of around £40,000.

“These enterprises are vulnerable to attack by other criminal gangs,” she added.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, Armando Topalli, 28, of Thornycroft Road, Southampton, Lavdrim Ismaili, 28 of London Road, Southampton, Brixado Halilaj, 21, of Portland Street, Southampton, Arben Lleshi, 31, of Portland Street, Southampton, Aranit Topalli, 28, of St Andrews Road, Southampton, Zef Gjoka, 29, of Nightingale Road, Southampton, Edison Hoxha, 26, formerly of Romsey Road, Southampton, and Spartak Demiraj, 31 of Britannia Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, were all charged with conspiracy to commit ABH.

All except Hoxha were charged with kidnapping - who was also charged with the production of a class B drug.

Aranit Topalli faced a charge of the production of a class B drug.

Meanwhile, Armando was charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

They pleaded guilty to all charges against them.

Defending for Aranit Topalli, Caroline Skeet said her client was someone who was scared for his own safety.

She argued he was not involved in the kidnap.

Amjad Malik, for Amando Topalli, said his client has no previous convictions and had never come into contact with the police.

Colin Witcher who defended both Halilaj and Lleshi said the kidnapping was brought voluntarily to an end.

He stressed that the defendants decided not to escalate the violence.

The prosecution said that Gjoka had been carrying a sword, however, defending on his behalf, Nick Robinson said he had gone to the address simply to help a friend.

He argued the kidnapping was not pre-planned.

Judge Peter Henry, jailed them for the following terms:

  • Armando Topalli - 7 years and 6 months
  • Bixiado Halilaj – 4 years and 6 months
  • Arben Lleshi – 4 years and 6 months
  • Spartak Demiraj – 4 years
  • Aranit Topalli – 6 years
  • Zef Gjoka – 4 years and 6 months
  • Lavdrim Ismaili – 4 years
  • Edison Hoxha – 3 years and 4 months