Sebastian Love

Sebastian Love, 21, from Merton, pleaded guilty to kidnapping at Guildford Crown Court, within a trial that ended on 10 December 2025 after six weeks. His guilty plea relates to the abduction of a Dorking man on 26 April 2025, which led to severe torture by the gang including Love.

The incident was reported by a neighbour who observed men in balaclavas taking the victim forcibly at lunchtime. They conveyed him to Reigate for blindfolding, force-feeding, and intimidation using dogs, then to Farnborough where the abuse intensified. Love was involved in the kidnapping that enabled the sexual abuse, physical assaults via punches, kicks, burns, whippings, foot stabbing, forced crack smoking, and spraying paint on wounds to increase suffering.

Ransom calls to the victim's brother the next day were traced by police to the Farnborough location, resulting in arrests of gang members including Love and seizure of a phone used in demands. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey said: "As soon as we became aware that a kidnap had taken place, my team worked at pace... subjected to what amounted to torture at the hands of Armstrong, Burton, Love, Swyer and Thompson... brought to justice for their heinous actions."

Love's admission confirms his participation in the core offence. He faces sentencing on 19 or 20 February 2026 at Guildford Crown Court. The case was investigated by Surrey Police, focusing on rapid intervention in serious crimes across the region.