Man jailed for holding victim captive and assaulting him in Cambridge
He's been sentenced to four and a half years for robbery and false imprisonment.
Last updated 19th Feb 2026
A man has been jailed for four and a half years after luring a vulnerable individual to a house in Cambridge, where he was held captive, assaulted, and robbed.
Chemseddine Lahouel-Guettala, 35, attacked the victim on 6th June 2023, in an ordeal that ended only when the man sought help from a passerby.
Covered in blood, the victim reported being kidnapped, beaten, and forced to give away his money, before managing to escape.
The police documented his injuries, including severe bruising, swelling to his face, and black eyes.
He had initially gone for a game of pool at WT’s pub in Cambridge City Centre, accompanied two men back to a house, where he was prevented from leaving, stamped on, and asked for his bank details.
The victim confided in police that he was later bundled into a car and threatened with being taken to Barnwell area of Cambridge, where he believed he would be killed and buried.
Escaping the car, he flagged down help, and the police located the victim and searched the identified house, finding blood evidence.
Hospital scans confirmed severe injuries, including a fractured right eye socket and reduced movement due to the attack.
Despite early bank transaction attempts linked to Lahouel-Guettala, and his denial in police interviews, further evidence tied him to the assault and robbery.
Lahouel-Guettala was arrested at Luton Airport attempting to board a flight, and stood trial at Peterborough Crown Court in November, where a jury found him guilty of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent, false imprisonment, and robbery.
Judge Sean Enright sentenced Lahouel-Guettala at the same court on 17th February.
Detective Constable Alex Galan-Tarachiu highlighted the terrifying ordeal faced by the victim and commended the public's assistance in his escape, emphasizing the commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice.