A torture victim told a court his captor threatened to slice off his genitals before pouring boiling water over him.

Adam Slade told an Old Bailey jury he was pistol-whipped and beaten by Carlon Robinson and Nolan Atkins as they demanded £30,000 from him.

He claimed he was beaten so much he screamed at his tormentors: "You have killed me."

Robinson, 27, of Merton Court, Brighton Marina, and Atkins, 25, of no fixed address are accused of torturing and shooting victims in Brighton, Eastbourne and London.

Mr Slade told the jury he entered a friend's flat in Portland Street, Brighton, to be confronted by a man toting two guns and another brandishing a knife.

He said he was ordered to kneel on the carpet, then beaten around the head.

Mr Slade told the court: "I asked them what they wanted and they asked for £30,000.

"My arms and legs were then tied up with flex and I was stamped on. Someone cut my jeans right down the middle of the leg and said: "I am going to cut your **** off.

"I was barely conscious. I felt boiling water splash on my back - at least one kettle full.

"I remember being struck on the head with a cold metal object and thinking, 'You have killed me'."

Mr Slade told the court he blacked out and came to as he was being rushed to hospital.

He said: "My left eyelid was split, my nose was a mess."

The court has heard the defendants allegedly tortured and shot other victims during their four-month reign of terror.

One was shot in the chest as he tried to escape by jumping from a first floor window, it is alleged.

Another was allegedly blasted in both thighs as he desperately wrestled a gun from Robinson's hands, the court heard.

Robinson allegedly stubbed out a burning cigarette on a victim's face before he also had boiling water poured on his genitals.

Anthony Glass QC, prosecuting, said Robinson and Atkins barged into the Portland Street flat at 11.30pm in July 2001.

Once inside, Robinson allegedly told occupant Ignatius Powell they were looking for a man who owed them £20,000.

They then allegedly tortured him before three friends, including Mr Slade, arrived in the early hours of the morning.

Robinson and Atkins fled but were later picked out of ID parades.

Robinson denies two charges of attempted murder, five firearms offences, three charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and theft.

Atkins denies attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two firearms offences.

Both men deny three robberies, five charges of false imprisonment, two aggravated burglaries and one charge of taking a conveyance without authority.

The trial continues.