TWO men have been jailed for 24 years after a man was tortured and held against his will and suffered third-degree burns to most of his body.

Joshua Hurley and Arron Kemp, were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Thursday after admitting to charges of false imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 29-year-old victim, who sustained life-changing injuries, was working in a shop in Reading when he was approached by Hurley, who asked him for a £40 phone top-up refund in September.

After refusing to help Hurley on a number of occasions, Hurley asked to meet the victim and, along with Kemp, he was taken to a property on Blandford Road.

He was held against his will for several hours and tortured by both men, suffering burns to his arms after being attacked with an iron.

Investigating officer, detective constable Devjeet Hunjan, of Reading Force CID, said: "Hurley and Kemp have been convicted of serious and dangerous offences in which the victim was in effect sadistically tortured by them.

Reading Chronicle:

Arron Kemp

"He sustained very serious, life changing injuries.

"Hurley and Kemp have received significant sentences. Their behaviour has no place in a civilised society and these sentences demonstrate Thames Valley Police's commitment to tackling violent crime."

Hurley was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison, while Kemp will serve 11 years.

The victim sustained second degree burns to his face and third degree burns to a significant amount of his body.

Hurley was charged with the offences on October 29 and Kemp was charged on November 8.

Hurley returned to the shop on a number of occasions throughout September but the victim was not able to resolve his complaint.

On September 30, Hurley contacted the victim and asked to meet with him. During this time, the victim was burned with an electric iron and assaulted several times.

He was eventually driven back into Reading where he was released.