Three landlords who imprisoned and viciously beat up their tenants have been jailed.

Chyna Gray, 23, her brother Spencer, 24 and Omar Parchment, 24, received a combined sentence of more than eight years in prison on June 21 at Croydon Crown Court.

The court heard the two victims, a 20-year-old woman and her 23-year-old boyfriend were forced to move out of their home on Canterbury Road in January to escape their violent and abusive landlords.

As they packed their belongings into a car, the jury heard they were attacked by Chyna Gray. The next day, when the 20-year-old returned to collect the rest of her belongings, she was tied up and assaulted by the trio who threatened to kill her unless she took them to where her boyfriend was.

She was driven to a home on Norbury Court Road where the thugs launched a violent assault on her boyfriend. Spencer Gray stabbed him in the back with a scalpel after the trio kicked him in the head and beat him with bottles.

Chyna Gray pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and was sentenced to two years in jail.

Omar Parchment pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and affray and was sentenced to a total of three years in prison.

Spencer Gray pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to three years and three months in jail.

All three defendants have been forbidden to go near the victims.

DS Kenny Windsor, of Croydon Police Violent Crime Team, said: “This was a violent attack on a young couple who having already been forced out of their home by the defendants, were both subjected to sustained and serious assaults.

“The guilty pleas from the defendants are reflective of the strong case built by the officers working on the investigation, in particular the case officer PC Sue Day-Sawyer.

“Credit should be given to the victims who were brave enough to come forward and report this shocking incident and fully support the prosecution. They are very pleased with the result and now feel that they can move on with their lives.”

DCI Pete Thomas, from Croydon CID, said: “This is a great example of the hard work of Croydon CID officers, resulting in the jailing of three violent offenders.

“The public should feel reassured by the removal of these people from Croydon’s streets and the knowledge that if they come forward as victims of violent crime they will be fully supported in the pursuit of justice.”