Two thugs have been convicted of a serious assault and robbery in Maidstone.

Anton Asutaitis, 24, and of Pimlico Road, Belgravia and Sanchez Banto, 25, of Whitehorse Road, Croydon are facing prison after they repeatedly punched a man in the head, threatened him with a knife and tied him up with duct tape in a dispute over a drug debt.

The duo contacted the victim on April 15, 2015 to ask him to help recover heroin from a man they believed he knew.

He didn't cooperate and visited his acquaintance's partner at an address in Bull Lane, Eccles. When he arrived he discovered three men inside.

They forced the victim to accompany them to a Ford Focus and began their search.

Asutaitis drove, Banton occupied the front passenger seat and a third man, whose identity is not known, sat in the back with the victim.

They drove to a number of locations but were unable to find the man they claimed owed them drugs. At one stage the victim tried to escape, but found child locks had been activated on the doors.

"This was a truly terrifying experience for the victim, who was targeted and then subjected to a prolonged and vicious assault, not because he had done anything wrong but simply because of someone he happened to know" - DC Tony Hatcher

The vehicle then proceeded to Blue Bell Hill where it turned onto a road toward Burham, before Asutaitis suddenly slammed on the brakes.

Here, the victim was attacked by Banton and the rear seat passenger whilst Asutaitis shouted demands for return of the heroin.

They threatened him with a knife before they wrapped duct tape around both his arms, as well as around his mouth three times.

Cash and a mobile phone were then taken from the victim’s pockets before he was dropped off in Eccles, where he managed to raise the alarm.

An investigation by Kent Police led to the recovery of the vehicle and forensic tests matched Banton’s DNA to the front passenger seat. Duct tape fibres were also found in the car which contained blood from the victim.

Further DNA was recovered which also put both Asutaitis and Banton at the scene of the property in Eccles.

They were later arrested and charged. Yesterday they appeared before Maidstone Crown Court.

Banton and Asutaitis pleaded guilty to offences of causing grievous bodily harm and robbery.

Detective Constable Tony Hatcher said:"This was a truly terrifying experience for the victim, who was targeted and then subjected to a prolonged and vicious assault, not because he had done anything wrong but simply because of someone he happened to know.

"It was an ordeal clearly orchestrated by Banton and Asutaitis and which led to injuries including a fractured cheekbone and nose along with severe bruising. There is no doubt the mental scars will also stay with him for a very long time."

Both men have been bailed until sentencing, which is set for February 23 at the same court.