Britain: A black former Olympic hopeful has been jailed for 12 years after kidnapping and torturing a man for money

Disgraced Julian Hughes-John, 31, who represented Great Britain in its Bobsleigh team throughout Europe, was part of a trio who bundled their victim into a van whilst brandishing a shotgun and wearing balaclavas, before hammering a drill bit into his ankle. The gang were caught after a passing police car spotted the suspicious van parked in Selsey Road, Luton, Bedfordshire on March 24, 2011 and stopped to speak to the driver. The van pulled away, before stopping further down the road, where the three men fled. When they checked the vehicle, officers were shocked to find a 32-year-old man tied up inside. The culprits were later caught and arrested. Hughes-John, from Luton, was found guilty of kidnap and grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to 12 years in prison with a public protection order, meaning he will be on license for a minimum of ten years after he has completed his sentence, half of which must be served in custody. The court heard how, after being imprisoned ten years ago for his part in an armed robbery, Hughes-John turned his life around through sport, being selected to compete in the British bob-sleigh team across Europe. But after the United States refused him a visa to enter the country and compete, because of his violent history, he turned back to a life of crime.