Fulham Palace Road Teen Guilty of Kidnap and Torture

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While Khan's brother is sentenced for attempting intimidate victim

Two men who kidnapped and tortured a 19-year-old man in Northolt have been jailed for a total of 17 years.

On Tuesday, 26 August, 2014, Yousaf Khan, 19 from Fulham and Xavier Christopher,18, from Northolt lured a teenager to a secluded alleyway near The Farmlands, Northolt in an attempt to rob him. When it became apparent that the victim had no money, the pair subjected him to a prolonged period of abuse and torture, making repeated threats towards him and his family.

Khan punched the victim in the face before producing a flick-knife and carved his initials across the victim’s forehead. Christopher took the knife, cut the victim, and carved letters onto his arm. Having been repeatedly tortured for a period of almost three hours and urinated on, the victim agreed to take the two to his home to get money.

The victim was instructed to go inside, wearing his moped helmet so that no one would see his injuries. They also told him to keep his phone on so they could hear what he was saying. Once inside however, he received a call from his uncle, which cut off the connection to the suspect’s phone, giving him the opportunity to raise the alarm.

Police arrested Yousaf Khan the next day. Christopher was identified and arrested within the week. Both were subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

Whilst in custody and awaiting trial, Yousef Khan’s brother Sameer Khan made a number of unsuccessful approaches to the victim, trying to dissuade him from giving evidence in court. On Wednesday, 19 November 2014, Sameer Khan came across the victim in Hammersmith. He called ahead to an associate who attacked the victim in the street whilst Sameer Khan looked on. Despite this new attack, the victim remained resolute and supported police action throughout.

Sameer Khan was arrested and charged with witness intimidation on Monday, 24 November.

Passing his sentence His Honour Judge Johnson made clear that the offence was aggravated by the fact that the victim had placed his trust in Yousaf Khan, a childhood friend, and this trust has been severely abused by two young greedy men willing to go to almost any length to get money.

Yousaf Khan, 19 of Peabody Estate, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 and Xavier Christopher, 18 of Eastcote Lane, Northolt, both pleaded guilty to kidnap, false imprisonment and wounding at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday, 5 February.

Sameer Khan, 23 of Peabody Estate, Fulham Palace Road, London W6, pleaded guilty to witness intimidation on Thursday, 5 February, at Isleworth Crown Court.

On Friday, 29 May at the same court, Yousaf Khan was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with an extended period of five years on licence.

Xavier Christopher was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with an extended period of five years on licence.

Sameer Khan, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Michael Currie said: “The victim was put through a horrific ordeal by someone he trusted as a friend. He and his family were strong and supported the investigation throughout despite being intimidated by others. With evidence stacked against them, the three defendants had no option but to plead guilty. I hope this sentence allows the victim to move on and demonstrates that this type of action will be met with the full force of the law.”

 

1st June 2015