Reece Armstrong

Reece Armstrong, aged 29 from Staines-upon-Thames, was convicted following a six-week trial at Guildford Crown Court for his role in a brutal kidnapping and torture incident in Dorking. The case, which concluded on 10 December 2025, involved Armstrong as a key member of a gang that abducted a local man on 26 April 2025.

The ordeal began in the lunchtime hours when police were alerted by a neighbour who witnessed several men in balaclavas forcibly taking the victim away. The gang transported him to Reigate, where he was blindfolded and force-fed, intimidated by dogs, before being moved to Farnborough. There, under Armstrong's involvement, the victim endured severe sexual abuse, beatings, punches, kicks, burns, whippings, a stabbing in the foot, and was forced to smoke a crack pipe. His wounds were further aggravated by being spray-painted, intensifying the pain.

The following day, the victim's brother received an anonymous ransom demand call, with subsequent calls traced by police leading to the Farnborough location. This swift investigation resulted in the arrest of several gang members, including Armstrong, and the recovery of a phone used in the demands. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey stated: "As soon as we became aware that a kidnap had taken place, my team worked at pace to locate the victim as quickly as possible. While we located him the day after he’d been kidnapped, he had still been subjected to what amounted to torture at the hands of Armstrong, Burton, Love, Swyer and Thompson. No one should have to endure the ordeal they had put him through and their convictions... have ensured they have been brought to justice for their heinous actions."

In addition to the kidnapping and torture charges, Armstrong was found guilty of Section 18 assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 19 or 20 February 2026 at Guildford Crown Court. The case was handled by Surrey Police, highlighting their rapid response to serious violent crimes in the region.