A kidnapper has been jailed after police found his victim locked in the boot of his car when questioning him over his insurance.

Shafak Abbas, 24, of Wickford Street, Bethnal Green was also found to be in possession of a firearm.

Officers approached Abbas’ gold Mercedes on April 18 just after midday as he didn’t have any insurance.

His “evasive behaviour when questioned” led the officers to begin to search his car - and Abbas then told the police there was a 26-year-old woman was locked in his boot.

The woman was found “crying and in a distressed state.”

He was charged with kidnap, driving whilst disqualified, having no insurance and possessing a firearm.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15 after a four-day trial.