A terrified man feared he would be killed after he was thrown into the boot of a car by four men and then had a gun thrust in his mouth, a court heard.

David Noy was pistol whipped and punched and kicked before a hood was put over his head. He was eventually told to walk away and not look back.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim knew two of his attackers - Sacha Havelock-Dewaele, 22, and Peter Jenkins, 35, and a sexual allegation was made against him.

Mr Noy was walking along Duncan Road, Gillingham, on April 2 when a Peugeot car stopped and the four men got out.

Prosecutor Thom Dyke said Mr Noy was bundled into the boot and driven some distance to marshland.

“What he believes was a handgun forced into his mouth by Mr Havelock-Dewaele,” he said. “He made various threats to kill him before striking him with the gun.

“He attempted to defend himself. The other three men joined in, punching and kicking him. A hood was placed over his head and he was led some distance away.

“He was instructed to carry on walking and not look back. His mobile phone, house keys and £10 cash were taken.”

He went to a nearby house in distress and the police were called.

Havelock-Dewaele and Jenkins, both of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, admitted kidnap and assault causing actual bodily harm. Havelock-Dewaele also admitted possessing an imitation firearm.

Havelock-Dewaele was jailed for five years and three months and Jenkins for three years and nine months.

Havelock-Dewaele had 54 convictions for 90 offences. Jenkins had four convictions for seven offences.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC told them: “On any view this was a quite horrific attack by four men on a defenceless victim.”

James Ross, for Havelock-Dewaele, said his client had a alcohol problem and had been a “regular” at magistrates’ court.

“What happened is in some ways an aberration,” he added.

Eve George, for Jenkins, said it was not his “axe to grind”, but he accepted he played a part.

“He is very sorry it occurred,” said Miss George. “These two will bear the brunt of the punishment.”