August 4, 2026
Following an eight-week trial at Inner London Crown Court, Dan Taylor, led by Sam Robinson KC of Garden Court Chambers, secured the acquittal of ‘YM’ for offences of conspiracy to kidnap, false imprisonment, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The jury were unable to reach verdicts on offences of conspiracy to blackmail. At a subsequent hearing on 31 July 2026, the Prosecution confirmed that no retrial was sought on those remaining counts and offered no evidence against Dan and Sam’s client, ensuring his acquittal on all counts.
The Prosecution had alleged that YM was a key player in a carefully planned kidnap of “two wealthy, cryptocurrency traders” from France. It was alleged that the complainants were lured to a road in East London under the guise of a drug deal, before being kidnapped at gun point and taken to a “stronghold”. Here, the Prosecution alleged that they were extorted and subjected to “cold, hard torture”, including being doused with boiling water, suffering cigarette burns and being subjected to sexual violence and threats. The complainants were released after 52 hours following an extensive Metropolitan Police ‘Flying Squad’ operation.
At trial, there was a wholesale challenge to the accounts given by the complainants. YM gave evidence in his defence. He did not accept that a kidnap had taken place; rather, it was contended that the meeting which took place in East London, was in connection with a substantial, pre-arranged drug deal, which would be paid for by way of cryptocurrency.
This was not the first such deal of its kind between the parties. YM said that the complainants had attended the “stronghold” voluntarily; they were not held against their will. Through a careful analysis of the evidence, he was able to show that he was not present during the time that injury may have been inflicted on the two complainants.
The cell-site expert was cross-examined on the limitations of such evidence in the circumstances of this case. Two cryptocurrency experts were cross-examined on the movement of funds and use of ‘escrow’ wallets designed to hide the source of crypto funds. Further, following applications for disclosure, it transpired that one of the complainants was under investigation in France in connection with a substantial ‘refunding’ fraud and another key player “may” have been involved in the wholesale supply of cannabis. These facts were admitted in evidence.
The case is one of the more substantial of its kind in this jurisdiction and has attracted significant national and international media interest. Further, it will be the subject of a BBC TV documentary to be aired later on in the year.
Dan Taylor is ranked in Chambers and Partners and as a Leading Junior in the Legal 500. He has significant experience in defending in cases involving organised crime and allegations of serious violence.
He was instructed by Shabaz Ahmed and Mohamed Abdirachid of Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors
News stories:
www.thesun.co.uk/news/39949183/crypto-millionaires-kidnapped-stripped-blackmail-plot/
www.ibtimes.co.uk/london-jury-convicts-six-crypto-kidnapping-1812152
Barristers
Dan Taylor
Call: 2012