Gladiators star, Michael Jefferson King jailed for torturing man

Gladiators star Michael Jefferson King, better known as Shadow on the 90s TV show, has been jailed for six years and three months over his role in a blackmail plot.

Shadow who was one of the most popular stars of the hit ITV series before being axed from the show in 1995 after issues with drug-taking, was sentenced after admitting two counts of blackmail at Isleworth Crown Court.

The actor said to be one of four suspects that kept a man identified as Aaron Ali detained in a flat in Acton, West London, reportedly threatened to break the man’s legs with a hammer and demanded £1,000 from his ex-wife and brother for his safe return.

The horrific incident happened in March last year and reportedly lasted for 6 hours. Mr Ali was gagged, a sock was placed in his mouth and secure with exercise bands bound around this head as he was repeatedly punched and kicked.

The victim’s ex-wife Nosheen Zarait and his brother Tariq Ali were sent videos of the victim in agony from his own phone and told to pay £1,000 for his safe return.

Prosecutor Keith Hadrill said that at one stage Mr Ali managed to escape but was caught by the three men.

Mr King admitted two counts of blackmail, as did another defendant Simon Batson, 39. Donna Harman, 41, and Otis Nowl, 43, were also convicted of false imprisonment and two counts of blackmail.

 

Ruling on the case, Judge Fiona Barrie said;

“Mr Ali attended the home of Mr Batson and Ms Harman to share drugs and all four of the defendants were present at the address eventually.

“He said initially everything was fine but when the drugs ran out the atmosphere changed. He was told to borrow money from his wife to buy more drugs but he refused.

“Then he said the mood became ugly. Within a very short space of time a plan was hatched to extort money from Mr Ali and his family.

“He described during the trial how he was subjected to a sustained and brutal attack which continued over several hours from approximately midday to 9pm that evening.

“He said he was constantly tortured by the group.”

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