Police find thumb of kidnap’ victim in East London street

THE severed thumb of a man who could have been kidnapped or murdered has been discovered in the street. Mahmood Ahmad, 41, was last seen in the early hours of March 7 leaving the Lahore Kebab House in Whitechapel where he works

By Keir Mudie

THE severed thumb of a man who could have been kidnapped or murdered has been discovered in the street.

Mahmood Ahmad, 41, was last seen in London’s East End in the early hours of March 7 leaving the Lahore Kebab House at Umberston Street in Whitechapel, where he works.

A passer-by made the gruesome discovery in Ilford, 10 miles away. Forensic tests confirmed the thumb belongs to Mr Ahmad.

Detectives are treating the case as kidnapping, but have not ruled out murder, although there is hope he may still be alive.

“He may well be injured and need medical help,” said Det Chief Ins Melanie Burn. “We are urgently appealing for any information on Mahmood’s whereabouts.”

A man has been charged with kidnap, false imprisonment, harassment and burglary in connection with the incident, Scotland Yard confirmed today. Mohammed Riaz, 33, has been remanded in custody and appears in court on May 24.

Three other men and a woman are under arrest and being questioned by detectives.