Two self-styled gangsters are facing life sentences for carrying out a summer of torture in Sussex.

The pair pistol-whipped victims, beat them, poured boiling water over them and threatened to slice off genitals as they hunted for cash and drugs.

Carlon "Jigger" Robinson and Nolan Atkins were trying to head-up a Sussex-wide drugs empire using extreme violence to enforce their will.

The half-brothers burst into the homes of people they thought were on the fringe of the drugs world and terrorised them for information about dealers.

But they also picked on nine innocent people at three Sussex addresses, tying them up, threatening to shoot them and torturing them for hours.

Some were left with horrific wounds.

Robinson and Atkins were arrested after the Sussex offences but were able to commit further violence in London when they were freed on bail by a court in Eastbourne.

District Judge Kathy Marshall refused Sussex Police permission to further detain the pair and an hour later officers had to let them go.

Within weeks, Robinson had blasted a man in both legs and the pair had shot another victim in the chest.

Sussex Police today expressed their frustration at the judge's decision.

Detective Superintendent John Levett said: "It was explained to the court there was a danger both men might reoffend.

"The district judge relied on article five of the Human Rights Act to decline our application. I think that was an error. I was surprised and disappointed at the decision."

Mrs Marshall declined to comment but a spokeswoman for her said: "These were closed-court proceedings and therefore Mrs Marshall is unable to talk about them."

The pair were finally captured in London and on Wednesday, after a 13-week trial at the Old Bailey, Robinson, 19, of Merton Court, Brighton Marina, and Atkins, 25, of no fixed address, were convicted of 34 offences, including attempted murder, false imprisonment, grievous harm, robbery, firearms offences and aggravated burglary.

Judge David Stokes deferred sentencing for psychiatric reports to January 31 but told Robinson he could expect life behind bars, describing him as "totally evil and sadistic".

Ringleader Robinson, who police also suspect has committed drive-by shootings and murders, swore at the judge as he was led away.

The pair had pleaded not guilty and Robinson claimed police had planted evidence, an accusation described by the judge as "outrageous".

Mr Levett thanked victims who took the witness stand to give evidence.