A drugs baron who kidnapped and tortured three associates he suspected of stealing from him has been jailed for 25 years.

Waheed Akhtar - known in underworld circles as "the Colonel" - rounded up the trio after £250,000 pounds of heroin disappeared from a car outside his Bradford home.

In a dingy warehouse storeroom at Try Mills, off Thornton Road, they were tied to chairs, savagely beaten with metal bars, whipped and interrogated over many hours.

One victim, Naveed Younis, was strung up with a noose around his neck while another, Daniel Francis, had a gun pointed at his head but when the trigger was pulled, it only clicked.

A gang recruited by Akhtar for his "inquisition" broke all four of Francis's limbs, smashed both of his hands and fractured his jaw. He suffered kidney failure and had to be resuscitated, remaining in a coma for more than a fortnight. It was four months until his release from hospital.

Judge Robert Taylor said Mr Francis was left disabled by the attack last June and may have to have a leg amputated.

Mr Younis suffered 20 separate injuries, including a stab wound to the chest.

Judge Taylor said it was Akhtar - who already had convictions for importing and dealing heroin - who had orchestrated the whole sickening attack.

"These people were detained against their will, interrogated and effectively tortured to reveal the whereabouts of the missing drugs," he said.

Despite this, the shipment was never found.

After the case, Detective Sergeant Chris Walker said the police investigation had smashed a major national drugs ring.

He said: "These convictions have brought to an end a major heroin distribution network operating throughout the UK with connections in London, Manchester, Bradford and Lancashire.

"This ruthless organisation demonstrated how they were prepared to stop at absolutely nothing to protect their empire."

Akhtar, 46, of Acton Street, Bradford, had denied conspiring to supply drugs, attempting to murder Mr Daniel and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm against Mr Younis and a 36-year-old woman. He also denied kidnapping all three and perverting the course of justice by offering them cash to change their police statements. A jury unanimously found him guilty of all charges and he was jailed for a total of 25 years.

Shazan Sikander, 36, of Lomorna Close, Walthamstow, London, was found guilty of identical charges except perverting the course of justice and was jailed for 20 years.

Azhar Mahmood, 38, of Harrogate Terrace, Bradford, described during the trial as Akhtar's assistant, was found guilty of the drugs charge, not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of kidnapping and grievous bodily harm against the three victims. He received a 13 year sentence.

Ishrat Rubbani, 23, of Kearsley, Road, Manchester, was found guilty of identical charges and also jailed for 13 years.

Sagir Alam, 21, of Heywood Street, Manchester, was cleared of the drugs charge but found guilty of kidnapping and grievous bodily harm against all three victims. He was cleared of indecently assaulting the woman. Alam was jailed for ten years. Asif Iqbal, 20, of Waterloo Road, Manchester, was sent to a young offender institution for ten years after being convicted of identical charges.

Det Sgt Walker said: "The victims have suffered a horrendous ordeal and quite appalling injuries in the case of Mr Francis." He paid tribute to their bravery in giving evidence despite attempts at bribery and intimidation.

"This case clearly shows that when people are prepared to come to the police and stand up in court to give evidence West Yorkshire Police has the skill and determination to secure convictions against vicious, ruthless career criminals."