A KEBAB shop owner was kidnapped at gunpoint from his home and subjected to violence and threats during a frightening eight-hour ordeal, a court heard.

A KEBAB shop owner was kidnapped at gunpoint from his home and subjected to violence and threats during a frightening eight-hour ordeal, a court heard.

Fendun Akdemir was dragged from his home in Grove Hill, Belstead, near Ipswich, early one morning by a group of men.

He was then driven to the Tottenham area of London before being returned to his home later the same day, Ipswich Crown Court was told yesterday.

David Holborn, prosecuting, said during the journey Mr Akdemir had been punched in the face and had feared for his life after his kidnappers had asked him if he had ever been given a good beating or kneecapped before.

Dervis Sucu, 40, of Elizabeth Way, Felixstowe, and Kalender Erdogan, 25, of Topham Road, London, have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping Mr Akdemir.

Outlining the background to the case, Mr Holborn alleged that Mr Akdemir had owed Sucu £30,000 and Sucu had recruited henchmen to recover the money.

He added the debt had arisen out of the ownership and division of profits of kebab shops in the Ipswich and Great Yarmouth areas, but Sucu had been unhappy about the debts and a number of discussions had taken place.

Two months before the alleged kidnap, matters had escalated when Mr Akdemir had started receiving threatening telephone calls about the money he owed.

The court heard on the day of the alleged kidnap a group of men, including one with a handgun, had gone to the Istanbul kebab house in Great Yarmouth looking for Mr Akdemir.

Mr Akdemir had eventually been returned to his home at about 2pm the same day after he had agreed to pass his share in the Istanbul kebab shop over to Sucu in return for his freedom, it was alleged.

After his arrest Sucu admitted going to Mr Akdemir's house, but denied kidnapping him.

Sucu said they had come to an amicable agreement about the debt and he claimed Mr Akdemir had invented the kidnap allegations in an effort to get him out of the way so he would not have to pay the money he owed him.

After his arrest Erdogan also denied kidnapping Mr Akdemir.

The trial continues today.