TWO men have been convicted of the false imprisonment of a woman who was kept in a restaurant after being captured.

Praveen Linga, aged 29, of Academy Way, Lostock, Bolton was convicted of one count of false imprisonment and one count of perverting the course of justice.

Vasile Irofte, aged 19 of no fixed abode, was convicted of one count of false imprisonment.

The two men were found guilty of the charges on Tuesday, December 4 following a trial at Reading Crown Court.

The trial was in relation to an incident that happened on Friday, May 25.

At around 1.20am, a woman in her 50s was approached by Linga, who offered her a lift home, while walking down Kings Road, Reading.

The woman was led to a restaurant on Kings Road, where Irofte was also present.

She was kept in the restaurant against her will before being thrown out from the premises.

The victim received abrasions to her hands, as well as bruising to her legs, arms and groin.

Detective constable Jon Morley of Force CID based at Reading, said: “This was a terrible ordeal for the victim who was falsely imprisoned for well in excess of an hour.

“I would like to thank her for supporting the investigation meaning that Linga and Irofte have been convicted."

An investigation was launched and Linga and Irofte were arrested on Sunday, May 27. The two men were charged the following day.

During the police investigation, Linga attempted to pervert the course of justice, deleting CCTV from the premises.

Linga and Irofte will be sentenced on Tuesday, January 15 at Reading Crown Court.