Three men jailed for torturing a man with a flame-thrower for six hours

Three men have been jailed for a total of 35 years after they pleaded guilty to “barbaric” torture of a man which included the use of a flame-thrower, boiling water and knives.

Two men from South London and another man from East Sussex tortured the man at a property in Gravesend, where he was repeatedly cut with knives, burned, and subject to dog bites and genital mutilation.

William O’Brien, of Bessemer Place, Greenwich, was sentenced to 11 years, and Kai Haruna, of Sibthorpe Road, Grove Park, received eight years and three months for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Haruna was found to have jumped on the victim’s chest until he passed out.

It is believed the attack was linked to a grievance involving the offenders and money and the supply of drugs.

The victim was unable to escape the attack due to threats, the prolonged nature of the attack and O’Brien’s dog.

Kent Police received video evidence of the protracted incident, which had been circulated on a social media app.

Later the same day the trio were arrested. While making the arrests, constables seized two knives, alongside quantities of heroin and crack cocaine. An officer was also bitten by a dog, resulting in minor injuries.

Charlie Saunter, of Stone Cross, East Sussex, was third man involved in the torture and was jailed for 13 years and six months.

He further admitted a charge of possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

The sentences also dealt with two separate cases, which also involved thefts and acts of violence.

All three men will need to serve at least two thirds of their sentences before they can apply for parole.

On release from prison the men will all be subject to an extended licence period of four years. Any breach of these licence conditions will result in an immediate recall to prison.

Detective Constable John Carless, of Kent Police’s County Line and Gangs Team, said: “This case is a stark reminder of the wider range of violent crimes involved in the supply of drugs.

“Haruna, O’Brien, and Saunter planned and launched a lengthy attack on their victim, subjecting him to vicious torture techniques over a period of six hours.

“These men are violent and dangerous criminals with zero regard for the law.”

Pictured top: Charlie Saunter, Kai Haruna and William O’Brien (Picture: Kent Police)