The man responsible for delivering Glasgow 2026 said the city had “saved and reinvented” the Commonwealth Games, three years after its future was plunged into doubt.

Ahead of Sunday’s closing ceremony – which featured a dazzling fireworks display over the River Clyde – Phil Batty recalled how Glasgow stepped up when the original hosts pulled out.

And he believes the legacy of the sustainable, scaled-back Games will shape the future of the multi-sports event.

The Commonwealth flag was last night ceremonially handed over to the Indian city of Amdavad, which will stage the centenary event in 2030.

But Batty said Glasgow’s decision to host the event for a second time in 12 years would never be forgotten.

He told BBC Scotland News: “We have created a Games here that will inspire more nations to host but, probably more importantly, that every nation feels it could host at some point in the next 100 years.”

CCTV footage has been released showing a ram raid were the thieves stole a haul of whisky.

Ram-raiders were caught on camera smashing their way into a store – to steal a huge haul of single malt whisky. CCTV footage captured the moment Gary Hay and Peter Winks forced entry into a Co-Op store with a stolen grey Ford Transit van.

The impact saw the door cave in before Hay, dressed in a long coat and tweed hat, squeezes through the dislodged entrance. He then emerges back onto camera trying to carry a large number of bottles of whisky.

The haul is so large he drops some of the booze to the floor and scrambles to try and retrieve them. Winks, 45, is also seen trying to assist him before the pair get back into the van and drive away from the store in Dundee.

A court heard the whisky collection included three bottles of 70cl Glen Scotia, Timorous Beastie, Creagdhu and Old Pulteney. The total value of the alcohol taken during the incident just after 4am on March 8 was around £600.

The pair both pleaded guilty to stealing the whisky and the £68,200 van from Enterprise Hay has now been jailed for 34 months and Winks for 33-and-a-half months.

Footage of the incident was released by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) after the conviction.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport in Belgium, the country’s second busiest airport and the country’s main hub for low-cost airlines, will shut as part of a £43 million (€50 million) redevelopment project.

Airport authorities said the closure, lasting 11 weeks, will allow engineers to carry out the most extensive infrastructure work in the airport’s history, including a complete reconstruction of its 3,200-metre runway.

Brussels airport to close for 11 weeks with flights cancelled

Charleroi’s single-runway design means the airport cannot remain partially operational during the works, which will include rebuilding the runway, upgrading terminal areas, and improving aircraft parking stands.

The refurbishment will also include the replacement of drainage systems, airfield lighting, and taxiway markings.

The airport said: “A complete refurbishment of Charleroi airport’s sole runway (which has an estimated lifespan of 25 years), together with other major infrastructure modernisation works, has been scheduled by [airport infrastructure company] SOWAER for the second half of 2028.

“To minimise the overall duration of the disruption, the various construction projects will be carried out simultaneously.

“These investments are intended to ensure the airport’s long-term safety, operational performance and attractiveness.”

It added that “this will require a temporary suspension of air traffic during the works.”

Thankfully for passengers, the planned works are not for another couple of years.

The plan is that the airport will shut down from August 15 to October 31, 2028 for the works.

The airport is expected to reopen on November 1, 2028.

It is expected to have a big impact on passengers, with Charleroi Airport handling 11.2 million travellers during 2025.

More than two million passengers are expected to be affected by the closure.

How will the Brussels airport closure affect UK passengers?

Ryanair, which operates more than 80% of flights from the airport, will be the most affected airline.

The low-cost carrier flies around 660 to 670 flights per week from Charleroi, serving 114 destinations across more than 26 countries, and has more than 10 aircraft permanently based at the airport.

Wizz Air, the airport’s second-largest carrier, will also be heavily impacted.

The airline operates around 45 to 50 departures each week to up to 16 destinations across Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe.

Other affected airlines include Pegasus Airlines, Air Corsica, and Volotea.

Recommended reading:

Nearest alternative airports

For those still looking to travel to the area, some alternatives to Brussels South Charleroi Airport that are nearby are:

• Brussels Airport
• Lille Airport
• Luxembourg Airport

Have you flown into Brussels South Charleroi Airport before? Let us know in the comments.

Manchester United are edging closer to signing Lewis Hall and are pursuing a deal for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose future could be impacted by Guimaraes’ arrival at the Emirates Stadium. Hall has reportedly rejected a return to Chelsea, who are making progress over Pep Chavarria after signing Valentin Barco and still eyeing Alex Scott amid shock Arsenal and Barcelona links to Joao Pedro. Liverpool are preparing a new move for Bradley Barcola, while they could sell Tottenham target Cody Gakpo.

Samsom, 18, came to the UK in 2023 as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child after fleeing Eritrea. His journey took him through Ethiopia, Libya, Italy and France, where he spent weeks rough sleeping before eventually crossing the Channel by boat.

Explaining why he made the journey, he said he wanted to learn English and believed the UK would offer better opportunities for young people. He explained, “I was homeless when I travelled from Libya to Italy. I had nothing.”

When he arrived in Britain, aged just 16, he was placed with a foster family before moving into supported accommodation, thanks to the youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint.

As a result, he developed greater independence and confidence in his daily life, including cooking, shopping, and attending important medical appointments on his own. He was also able to undergo surgery that improved sight in his right eye. “Centrepoint helped me manage my health and supported me in undergoing an operation to restore my vision,” he said.

Now studying English and maths, Samsom has made remarkable progress, including being awarded Student of the Year by his college. He later also received an Educational Excellence Award at Centrepoint’s annual ceremony, recognising outstanding achievement among young people.

Reflecting on his accomplishments, her said, “I will do more next year than I did this year. I feel happy, I feel proud”.

Growing Food Poverty Among Homeless Young People, Centrepoint Reports

Centrepoint, the youth homelessness charity, has warned of rising food poverty among vulnerable young people after issuing 314 emergency food vouchers in the first three months of 2026 alone compared with 1,095 across the whole of last year.

The scheme provides rapid support, often within an hour, helping young people access essentials during periods of crisis. Nearly a quarter of those seeking help are homeless, including rough sleepers and young people forced to sofa surf.

The charity said many struggling to afford food are either working or receiving benefits yet still cannot cover basic living costs. Around 8% are employed but earn too little to get by, while 5.7% rely entirely on welfare payments. Almost a third reported going without food for at least a day because of financial hardship.

A spokesperson said the support allows young people to “focus on rebuilding their lives instead of worrying about their next meal.”

”We Can’t Do This Alone”

Last year, over 118,000 young people faced homelessness. That’s one young person every four minutes. At a time of life when most of their peers are trying new things and taking their first steps into adulthood, these young people found themselves alone and afraid, and unsure where to turn.   

It doesn’t have to be like this, with the right support at the right time, these young people can escape homelessness or avoid it altogether.   

At Centrepoint, provide more than a bed for the night. We provide a safe place to rebuild, support into education and work, and the confidence to believe in a better future.   

Youth homelessness is not inevitable. With the right help at the right time, it can be prevented and it can be ended.   

Our mission is to end youth homelessness – and you can help us.   

Whether it’s running a marathon or holding a sleep out, you, your friends, family and co-workers can join our movement to end youth homelessness and give vulnerable young people a brighter future.  

To find out more, donate or get involved, please visit our website http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/newspaper

”Invisible barriers prevent young people from accessing jobs“

(Image: Centrepoint)

A man supported by the youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint, has opened up about his employment struggles, saying there are “so many invisible barriers” between him and finding work.  

Josh, 23, came to Centrepoint two years ago and currently lives in supported housing.  

He has applied for hundreds of jobs and has found the experience incredibly difficult. “It’s been horrible. There are so many invisible barriers when it comes to getting employed that most people aren’t taught about or don’t even know exist.”  

“It’s those ones which are the hardest to overcome, not the ones you can see. It’s really frustrating because you want to work, yet no matter how hard you try, there just aren’t the opportunities.   

Currently, there are over one million young people in the country who are not employed, in education or in training. A government report, released in June, warned this could rise by a quarter without urgent action.   

A second report on the issue is due out later this year.   

For Josh, after two years of searching and tirelessly working with Centrepoint’s Jobs, Employment and Training team, he finally found a 3-month placement as a Barista and will soon be starting an internship with the company that helped him start it.   

He said: “It’s been great to find a rhythm. I feel really productive and my confidence has just grown. I was so desperate to start work again and I really believe this has given me a platform to build from.   

A new job now means Josh can look to get a home of his own, he said: “I started the process but while I was out of work I paused for a little bit. This new opportunity means I can start planning to move out pretty soon.   

He’s also got his eyes on going into business: “I’d also like to start my own media company, which has been my dream since I was quite young. A new job means I’m one step closer to that. For example, it’s allowed me to get a new PC, so I can do some rendering and stuff like that but it’s only the start.   

“I just want to be in a position where I can help as many people as possible.”  

On how Centrepoint has helped him, Josh said: “It’s given me the security of knowing I have somewhere to live and that if I’m having other problems, such as not being able to find a job, then I don’t have to worry about it as much.   

“They’ve helped with my finances, my employment, and I’m just really grateful. It gave me stability at a time when I needed it the most.”

Hopes to ‘normalise’ sensory differences with specialised boxes

(Image: Centrepoint)

Youth homelessness charity Centrepoint is working with the cardfactory foundation to support young people and staff with sensory differences. 

Those behind the idea hope it will ‘normalise’ sensory differences. Marc Pescod, Educational Psychologist, at Centrepoint said: “It’s to form a culture.  

“People worry about being different, but seeing others doing the same can remove barriers that make us feel distracted, uncomfortable and unhappy.  

“It can allow us to bring people down to a place where they feel more comfortable in spaces that they deserve to be in.”  

The boxes are filled with a range of objects such as putty, bean bags, colourful rubber balls, and even a large soft toy animal which can be held during support sessions.   

It also comes with an information sheet that explains what’s in the box and who to contact if staff have questions.   

Marc added: “We all have sensory needs but different tolerances to it.

“Reducing these barriers means someone can focus on other barriers they find challenging in their life and if a sensory box is the difference between a young person doing their maths exam or opening up then that’s a huge difference.”

Pushpinder Gill, head of the cardfactory Foundation, concluded: “Every young person deserves to feel a sense of belonging and dignity, particularly during challenging periods in their lives. 

“We’re proud to support Centrepoint as they continue to develop practical solutions that help young people build confidence, overcome challenges and reach their full potential.”

Rupert Lowe has urged Nigel Farage to put their past disagreements aside as he calls for Reform UK and Restore Britain to work together.

The former Reform UK MP, who has since started his own Restore party, made a peace offering to Mr Farage on Sunday despite a series of public rows between the pair in recent months.

The party – which until now has largely been based in Lowe’s constituency Great Yarmouth – is further to the right than Reform on issues such as immigration.

It has also enjoyed support from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has publicly backed Restore Britain a number of times on his X platform.

In a video posts to X over the weekend, Mr Lowe said that he was willing to put his differences with Mr Farage aside and have their parties work together if Reform UK took on some of Restore’s policies, such as a ban on the burqa and Halal meat and a referendum on the death penalty.

He also said Mr Farage would have to commit to not having any former Conservative ministers, such as Tory defectors Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, in any future Cabinet.

“I truly believe there could be sufficient common ground for our two movements to co-operate collectively (to) destroy the looming left-wing alliance that will finish off what hope remains for this country.

“We have recently shown how effectively co-operation can work locally on the Norfolk County Council, so why not at national level?” Mr Lowe said in a video posted on X.

The olive branch comes days after Mr Lowe’s party claimed fourth place in the Greater Manchester mayoral by election, gaining 8.7 per cent of the vote while Reform came second with 21 per cent.

The Reform UK leader appeared to give a lukewarm response in his own social media post, saying there will “always be a home in Reform UK” for those who reject the two main parties and think the country needs a “fundamentally different direction”.

“I understand Reform UK will need the support of people from other parties, as well as millions who have never voted before,” he wrote in a post on X. “That is the broad coalition I am building.”

However, he added that “only one party truly has the possibility of delivering change”.

Restore Britain was founded by Mr Lowe after he was suspended from Reform UK last year, amid claims he had threatened then-party chairman Zia Yusuf.

He denied the allegations and the Crown Prosecution Service said no criminal charges would be brought against him in relation to alleged threats towards Mr Yusuf.

Police and paramedics were called to Newstead Road around 4.10pm on Sunday (August 2).

The road, behind the Longlands Bar on Marton Road, was taped off after the crash. 

An image posted online shows a police car blocking off access to the residential street, while a large police van remains parked within the cordon. 

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) confirmed one person was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Their condition is not known. 

A spokesperson for NEAS said: “We were called just after 4.10pm yesterday (Sunday, August 2) to a road traffic collision between a car and a child on Newstead Road in Middlesbrough. 

“We dispatched an ambulance crew and a clinical team leader who treated one patient before conveying to hospital.” 

Cleveland Police has been contacted for more information. 

Adrian Austin was around 14-years-old when he started making inappropriate sexual advances towards his half-sister, who was aged just five. 

This progressed into sexual assault – and despite the now 45-year-old moving out of the house and into a flat in Manchester, the attacks continued when he would babysit his siblings. 

Austin, now of Sanderson Road in Hurworth, near Darlington, abused his position to assault his sister in a place they should have been safe – and, after being quizzed by police, continued to deny the allegations and blamed them for fabricating them. 

But on Friday (July 31), Austin was jailed for 17 years, with an extra two years on licence, after being found guilty of 11 counts of assault and child sex offences. 

This included six counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, four counts of indecent assault, and indecency with a child.

Now, the two brave sisters – Nikita, 36, and Mellissa, 35 – have waived their right to anonymity to speak out against their half-brother. 

Nikita said the “fear, confusion and dread of those years” remained “permanently etched into my memory” – saying she remembers the abuse “so vividly”. 

Mellissa said the abuse “completely shattered my understanding of my childhood” and that Austin “took away my innocence and my sense of self”. 

Guilty on all counts

Nikita and Mellissa have supported an investigation by Greater Manchester Police since 2021, when Nikita came forward to report the abuse she suffered as a young girl.

During this investigation, officers also identified Mellissa as a survivor of the same offences.

Officers found a report was made in 1997 in relation to these offences, which was not fully investigated, something the force has apologised for. 

To support the investigation, Mellissa underwent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help recall some of the memories of her childhood. 

Mellissa, who waived her right to anonymity (Image: GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE)

EMDR is a form of therapy that involves moving eyes in a specific way to process traumatic memories.

After going through this treatment, Mellissa now recalls a specific memory, in which Austin assaulted her at the age of around six-years-old in their family home. 

This process was able to be used as evidence in court and was crucial in securing conviction for the offences against Mellissa.

Throughout his police interviews, Austin denied ever having Nikita or Mellissa at his flat, but Nikita was able to outline the exact layout of the rooms, which matched housing records.

After a trial in June, a jury unanimously found Austin guilty on all 11 counts against him. 

Nikita said: “The fear, confusion and dread of those years are permanently etched into my memory and have never left me.

Nikita, who waived her right to anonymity (Image: GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE)

“I was wrong to expect nothing of Greater Manchester Police in 2021.

“An investigation began. People listened. For the first time, my voice was not only heard but believed. 

“As the investigation progressed, I slowly began to reclaim some of the power he had taken from me.

“Standing here today, I feel overwhelmed knowing that 12 ordinary members of the public did not only hear my voice, they believed it. 

“In doing so, they restored something that was taken from me so long ago. I do not find forgiveness possible for what he has done to me and my siblings. But I have come to understand that forgiveness is not required for healing.

“I am determined that his actions will not define the rest of my life. I have already lost far too much to him, and I refuse to lose what remains of my life as well.”

Mellissa shared: “Recovering a memory of the abuse has been devastating. It has completely shattered my understanding of my childhood.

“I grieve for the six-year-old child that I was. I find it incredibly difficult to accept that the abuse happened to me. I think about how young and vulnerable we were, and I struggle to understand how my brother could do this.

“He took away my innocence and my sense of self. He was someone who should have protected me. Instead, he created a false sense of security.

“I am still trying to come to terms with what happened to me and to rebuild my life. Despite this, I am trying to be proud of the mother and partner I have become.”

Detective Constable Rebecca Lovekin, investigating officer for this case, said Nikita and Mellissa had shown “immeasurable courage”.

DC Lovekin said: “We understand it was hard for both survivors that the initial investigation in 1997, regrettably, did not go as far as it should have. We have acknowledged this with both girls and apologised for the handling of the investigation at the time.

“Since then, we have progressed and the way we investigate sexual abuse, particularly historic sexual abuse has developed considerably, with a greater understanding of survivor experiences. The GMP of today has put Austin behind bars and secured justice for both girls.

“While we cannot change the past, we are committed to continuously working to support survivors and ensure they receive the care and justice they deserve.”

By CIARA FARMER

Published: 09:27 BST, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 09:37 BST, 3 August 2026

Jonathan Ross‘ daughter Betty stripped down to a series of racy ensembles to mark their 35th birthday over the weekend. 

The celebrity offspring, who identifies as they/them, wore barely-there outfits throughout their birthday celebrations, while brandishing candles adorned with 35. 

Their sauciest look was a neon orange dress with lace-up sides, which clashed with their pink locks, white knee high socks and sky-high gold wedges. 

Betty’s famous father has spoken about his daughter on a number of occasions in the wake of their fibromyalgia diagnosis, which has caused her to use a wheelchair. 

Advertisement

In a humorous nod to both their health, their gender identity and their sexuality, their bio on Instagram reads: ‘Your favourite fat disabled nonbinary polyamorous dyke’. 

Jonathan Ross’ daughter Betty stripped down to a series of racy ensembles to mark their 35th birthday over the weekend

The celebrity offspring, who identifies as they/them, wore barely-there outfits throughout their birthday celebrations, while brandishing candles adorned with 35

Advertisement

They were seen downing drinks on the day, with one cheeky snap showing the star with both a glass of champagne and a cosmopolitan at the same time

Betty was baring to dare in the shots as their enjoyed a picnic with pals while sporting a plunging knitted halterneck dress. 

They later slipped into a chic cream slip dress, under which they went braless and wore white tights, while sporting an ‘It’s My Birthday’ hairband. 

They were seen downing drinks on the day, with one cheeky snap showing the star with both a glass of champagne and a cosmopolitan at the same time. 

Advertisement

Betty was using the post to plug the brand of wheelchair they use, having shown off the bejewlled handles on their chair which comes from Distribe.

In 2022, Jonathan spoke about Betty’s diagnosis and the impact their fibromyalgia had on their mental health. 

He said: ‘They don’t know how to treat it, because there’s not a consensus yet…

‘She has chronic fatigue syndrome and Pots [postural orthostatic tachycardia] syndrome as well, which is where your heart rate shoots up…

Advertisement

She was showing off her tattoos including a funky cartoon

In 2022, Jonathan spoke about Betty’s diagnosis and the impact their fibromyalgia had on their mental health (Jonathan and Betty pictured in 2024)

She was relaxing with pals on the big day 

They wore a pretty slip dress with their pink hair in a dishevelled style 

Advertisement

‘Because that’s the problem – anyone out there who has got someone with a long-term illness, it’s the depression. Being stuck indoors and not being able to join in on things,’ he continued, ‘because even stairs are a challenge for her’.

He added: ‘It does have an impact, but the good thing is she’s definitely showing improvement.’

In September 2021, Betty revealed their diagnosis on Instagram, as they detailed to followers that they felt their pain was being acknowledged and was then able to find better ways of managing it.

They penned: ‘Shout out to the four people who all said they thought I had fibro, turns out y’all were right. There’s always a lot of weird feelings that come with a new diagnosis, but this one overall feels like a relief.’

Advertisement

Betty was using the post to plug the brand of wheelchair she uses, having shown off the bejewlled handles on her chair which comes from Distribe

They enjoyed a large feast during their birthday complete with French Fries, Love Hearts and muffins while also being gifted a bunch of flowers 

Two cryptocurrency millionaires were held captive for more than two days by a London gang who made them strip naked and forced them into compromising positions in a bid to blackmail them, a court heard.

The two men’s lifestyles of excess – much of it posted on social media – was said to have likely made them targets for extortion.

A jury found two men guilty of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court last week and a further three men were convicted of false imprisonment.

But the court heard that the operation had been controlled from overseas by a mastermind who instructed the offenders through WhatsApp and Snapchat, and that this kingpin – known as Nino – is still at large.

One of the victims alleged that he had also been sexually assaulted by two members of the gang. The jury cleared them of this but as a result of the accusation, the pair cannot be identified because of laws protecting alleged victims of sexual assault.

Prosecuting barrister Heidi Stonecliffe KC said that the millionaires – who are in their 20s – lived extravagant lifestyles that were ‘widely published on social media’ which ‘may well have attracted unwanted attention’.

Their ordeal ended only after a car chase of up to 70mph through residential London streets after the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad tracked down where the millionaires were being held.

When one of the victims was pulled from the offenders’ car, he did so with his hands tied and covered in cigarette burns that he said came from being tortured by the gang, including one burn in the middle of his forehead and one on his cheek.

Officers then continued the pursuit on foot, capturing Bakoya, George and Sineen following the chase

George’s knife was pictured inside a police evidence bag after being found by a police dog

Advertisement

The millionaires – who are from France but were staying in Kensington – declined to give evidence in person, saying they were too afraid of the gang after the offences, which happened in July last year.

The court heard that the man behind the plot – Ibrahim Mohamed, known as Nino and entered as ‘Fatboy’ in one of the offenders’ phones – had evaded capture.

In the 52 hours that the millionaires were kept in a flat in a block called Rathbone East in Canning Town, east London, the victims said that all they were given to eat during their imprisonment was one KFC spicy chicken wing, while the members of the gang present feasted on the rest of a 20-piece bucket. One of the victims claimed that he was forced to drink toilet water.

The court was told that the millionaires transferred $30,000 in cryptocurrency to the gang but that when no more money was forthcoming, one was let go while the other was driven away. In a recorded interview that the jury heard, the remaining victim said he believed he had been ‘sold’ to another gang who would try to extort more money from him.

The millionaires were held after travelling from west London to east London to buy some cannabis. Ms Stonecliffe said that, after leaving their rented black Mercedes in Shadwell, the pair were ambushed by three masked men with a gun and a knife and forced back into the car, which was then driven to the stronghold by one of the gang, Yasir Mohamed, previously convicted of drug dealing and possessing a knife.

The victims said that there they had boiling water poured over their bodies, including their genitals, and that a cigarette was stubbed out in one of their mouths.

Ms Stonecliffe described the millionaires’ ordeal as ‘cold, hard torture’. She said: ‘They were bound with tape and cable ties and beaten,’ adding that both had socks stuffed in their mouths, and were told they would be forced to have sex with each other and threatened with having their genitals cut off if they did not hand over $150,000. One was informed that his girlfriend would be raped, she said.

However, those convicted of false imprisonment and conspiracy to blackmail were all cleared of kidnap charges, possessing an imitation firearm and sexual assault.

The gang were traced through the phone of a friend of the Frenchmen, who had travelled with them in the Mercedes. Ms Stonecliffe said he was dragged from the car in the ambush but his phone had been left in the car unnoticed.

The friend travelled back to west London, where he persuaded a security guard at McDonald’s in Earl’s Court to make a 999 call. Police could then trace the location of the offenders’ hideout through the friend’s mobile.

Gerson Borges was arrested two days later when police tracked him down

Gerson Borges would later be found guilty of blackmail and false imprisonment

Advertisement

The chase ended with Adel Sineen, 18, (pictured) crashing into a lamp post. He admitted dangerous driving

Isaac Bakoya (pictured) admitted false imprisonment for his role in the gangs crimes

Julius George, 22, was found guilty of false imprisonment and admitted carrying a knife

He returned to the Earl’s Court Airbnb where the victims had been staying with him and a female friend, who started receiving calls from the victims and one of the kidnappers desperately trying to have money transferred. However, Flying Squad officers advised her on stalling techniques to give the police time to rescue the victims.

To have more money transferred, Yasir Mohamed, 23, of Forest Gate, east London, drove from Canning Town to the Airbnb in Earl’s Court to gain access to another cryptocurrency wallet. Flying Squad officers were waiting and he was arrested. However, the jury cleared him of conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, possessing an imitation firearm and sexual assault, and could not reach a verdict on conspiracy to blackmail.

The defendants’ barristers claimed that there was no kidnap attempt. They said the two millionaires had travelled to east London to buy a large amount of cannabis and that the means their clients used to get the Frenchmen to pay up were virtually all legitimate. It was also stated that one of the victims was under investigation in France for fraud.

However, Ms Stonecliffe pointed to the aggressive and threatening nature of demands for payment made by one gang member to the Airbnb and said: ‘That’s not payment for a deal, that’s payment for people.’

After Mr Mohamed, the next to be arrested were Julius George, 22, of Earlsfield, south-west London, Isaac Bakoya, 18, of West Norwood, south London and Adel Sineen, 18, of Camberwell, south London. 

The trio were recruited to transport the millionaires from the flat where they had been held. They were all present in the offenders’ car when the police started their pursuit, which concluded with getaway driver Sineen crashing into a lamp-post. Bakoya was arrested in the car, while armed police officers chased down George and Sineen on foot.

Sineen admitted dangerous driving but was cleared of false imprisonment and he and Bakoya were found not guilty of possessing a knife.

George admitted to carrying a knife, which he tried to throw away as he was being chased by police down a residential street. It was found by police and a police dog called Sully in a front garden and was covered in George’s DNA.

Further arrests were made of those who had stayed in the flat – Gerson Borges, 24, of Camberwell, south London, and Mohamed Osman, 29, of Finsbury Park, north London, who were found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment. Also found guilty of false imprisonment was William Adebisi, 19, of Romford, Essex.

Gerson Borges and Mohamed Osman were found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail and false imprisonment

William Adebisi was also found guilty of false imprisonment but the jury failed to reach a verdict on conspiracy to blackmail

The jury could not reach a verdict as to whether Adebisi was guilty or not of conspiracy to blackmail. The Crown Prosecution Service is yet to decide whether it wishes to try him and Mr Mohamed again over these charges.

The Flying Squad’s operation to track down the offenders and free the held men – codenamed Operation Azawahk – relied heavily on tracking where mobile phones were being used and CCTV footage. The team traced Borges, Osman and Adebisi using these methods.

Osman, Adebisi, Borges, Bakoya, George and Sineen will be sentenced in September for their convictions. Sineen has been on bail since his arrest – apart from when he was taken into custody for repeatedly failing to turn up to court – and all the other defendants have been in custody.

Metropolitan Police Flying Squad Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier said: ‘These convictions demonstrate the Met’s determination to pursue those involved in serious violence, even in the most challenging circumstances.

‘Our thoughts remain with the victims, who have endured a traumatic and deeply distressing experience.

‘Significantly, this case is a rare example of a conviction of this kind being secured without victim testimony. It sends a clear message that offenders cannot assume they can evade justice simply because victims are unable or unwilling to give evidence.

‘Through meticulous investigation and the presentation of a wide range of evidence, officers were able to build a compelling case and hold those responsible to account.

‘This outcome reflects our continued commitment to tackling serious violence, protecting vulnerable people and keeping London safe. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause fear and harm in our communities.’