TWO young thieves who targeted customised fast cars and kidnapped one driver in his own vehicle have been jailed for three years.

But police officers have slammed the sentences given to Andrew Wilmot, aged 20, of Buckley Close, Crayford, and Neil Corrigan, aged 19, of Old Chapel Road, Swanley, who were also told they could be freed next year if they behave.

One said afterwards: “I am very surprised at the length of the sentence. Someone will have to break the news to the victims. They will not be happy.”

The Old Bailey heard Wilmot targeted Cosworth car owners selling their limited edition cars through newspaper small ads.

On February 25 this year, he and Corrigan visited Guy Russon on the Isle of Sheppey after phoning him about his advert and asking for a test drive.

As they drove off Corrigan, high on cocaine, grabbed Mr Russon, put a knife to his throat and told him to get in the passenger seat.

Wilmot took over the driving and the pair told Mr Russon they would come back, kill his wife and children and burn down his home if he went to the police within a week, before dumping him by the roadside.

The court heard, three days later Wilmot targeted his second victim, Darren Tomlin. Corrigan and Wilmot arrived at his house in Morden, Surrey and again hijacked the car during a test drive.

Mr Tomlin was also held at knifepoint and dumped at the roadside. His face and hand were cut when he tried to pull the knife away.

Police caught the pair through an anonymous tip-off that one of the stolen cars was parked outside a house in Eltham.

Both men were high on drugs during the kidnappings and the court heard Corrigan, who has a baby daughter, had previous convictions for assault, wounding, threats to kill and drug dealing.

Wilmot admitted two charges of kidnapping and robbery and Corrigan admitted kidnapping, robbery and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Judge Jeremy Roberts had warned the pair they faced six years in jail, but halved the sentence because of their remorse and their young age.