Stalker Jailed for Revenge Porn Offence Against Midland Woman
A man who leaked explicit photos of a Midland woman on an X-rated website and blackmailed her has been sentenced to prison. Abdul Al-Shajahan, aged 39, has been jailed for five years and four months for stalking involving serious alarm and distress, as well as disclosing and threatening to disclose private sexual images with intent to cause distress.
Complex Investigation Uncovered Evidence
In 2021 and 2022, a woman residing in Leicestershire contacted multiple police forces, including Leicestershire Police, reporting that someone had published private photos of her on explicit websites and social media platforms. Letters were also sent to her home and those of her relatives, threatening to disclose more images and including links to the websites.
Specialist work by domestic abuse investigation unit officers identified the devices used to access the social media accounts, leading to Al-Shajahan. He was arrested at his London home in May 2022, where police seized several devices. Officers found he had used them to carry out internet searches on the victim and her family.
During the raid, a list of road names in Leicester, including where the victim lived, was discovered. Further checks confirmed that an account on an explicit website, where the images were uploaded, was set up by Al-Shajahan.
Impact on the Victim and Police Response
Detective Constable Thomas White, the officer in the case, stated that Al-Shajahan's actions have had a major impact on the victim's wellbeing. The victim told police she could not live a normal life due to the distress caused. Detective Sergeant Parms Kang added that this has been a complex and lengthy investigation spanning years of abuse, describing it as some of the worst he has seen.
Al-Shajahan, of Hunton Street, Spitalfields, London, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, February 26. He was also made subject to a ten-year restraining order banning contact with the victim.
Police hope this case serves as a reminder that such crimes will be thoroughly investigated, and perpetrators will be brought to justice. They emphasized that domestic abuse has no place in society and will not be tolerated.
