A Brighton man was bundled into a BMW car boot then driven to a remote lay-by and beaten before he was eventually able to escape last weekend.
Four men have been arrested for kidnap, three of whom were also arrested for causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and the fourth for having an offensive weapon.
The victim’s ordeal started sometime after 12 noon on Saturday (10 November) when the 22-year-old Brighton man met a man he knows in London Road.
He got into a silver BMW saloon car and was later joined by two other men then taken to nearby Tarner Park where it is believed he was assaulted and then put into the boot of the car.
He was then taken to a lay-by in Ditchling Road near to the A27 and assaulted again there sometime around 5pm.
Eventually the car stopped at another location in East Brighton and he managed to run off.
Detective Constable Jon Moore said: “If anyone saw either of these assaults or has any information about this incident please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Barrington.”
Four men have been arrested: a 20-year-old man from Brighton and a 27-year-old man of no fixed address were arrested on suspicion of causing GBH with intent and kidnap.
Another 20-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and having an offensive weapon.
A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing GBH with intent, criminal damage and kidnap.
They have all been bailed until Sunday 9 December.
