A drug addict who kidnapped a baby girl in Battersea because her dad owed him money has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

Michael John Harris, 40, was alleged to have pulled a gun on the dad on August 7, 2005, when the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was looking after his 22-month old daughter for the day, near her home in Battersea where she lived with her mum.

Kingston Crown Court heard on Monday how he arranged a meeting with the dad and then reportedly warned him if he did not leave his daughter, he would see her body parts on the pavement.

The dad, who left his daughter, was believed to owe Harris a large sum of money, which the court heard was probably for drugs.

Harris, accompanied by co-defendent Joanne Parker, 47, drove the infant to Southend-on-Sea where he lived.

The baby's mum has told how a man, thought to be Harris, rang her up and said: "We've got your daughter."

She said there was some talk of money as well.

The baby was handed over to the authorities the same day, uninjured apart from a few minor scratches which could not be attributed to anyone.

Harris was arrested and police seized about £1,000 he had on him.

He is currently serving a four year sentence for another crime, which is due to end next July.

Defending, Michael David Skelley, said Harris was now a "very different character" from the man he was in 2005: "During his period in custody, he has considered his issues with regard to drugs and he has become equipped to easily integrate himself back into society."

But Judge Tilling, sentencing, told Harris he had an "appalling" record.

He said: "You took advantage of the situation when it arose to force (the baby's father) to pay you."

Harris's three-year sentence is to run consecutively to the one he is currently serving.

Parker, who had pleaded guilty to the part she played, was handed a 50-week suspended prison sentence.

"As a mother yourself, I'm sure you would understand what the feelings of the mother of that child were."

He suspended Parker's sentence for two years after hearing of the steps she had taken to lead an honest and drug-free life since 2005.