A FORMER paratrooper was among three men who appeared in court accused of kidnapping and torturing two brothers.

Anthony Malone, 38, of no fixed address, with property investor Sanjeev Dhir, 36, of Lake Avenue, Rainham, and Ranjit Gojra, 39, of Bedonwell Road, Belvedere, Kent, are said to have abducted Mohammed Nawaz and his brother Haq.

The alleged victims are said to have been tied to chairs at Dhir’s offices in Stoke Newington, north London, and put through humiliating ordeals.

Mohammed, 34, a Muslim, was allegedly hooded, stripped of his trousers and doused in alcohol, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors allege a blow torch was then held to Mohammed’s face and he was hit across the legs with a hammer.

It is claimed the brothers were later dumped in Chelsea, southwest London, in the early hours of April 21, 2007.

Sporting a shaved head and long beard Malone, originally from Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees but of no fixed address, spoke to confirm his name during a short hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, December 15.

The former soldier is charged with two counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of kidnapping.

He is yet to formally enter pleas and was remanded in custody.

Dhir and Gojra deny the same charges but were released on bail.

Judge Martyn Zeidman QC set a trial date of February 21 next year.

The case is expected to last up to four weeks.