Man who threatened to release video of woman in the shower jailed for blackmail

Alaur Rahman used multiple phones to contact and threaten the victim and said he would release the video taken without her consent unless she paid him £2,000.

He also said he would send people to torture her and her family if she did not pay him. Calls recorded and passed to police showed the victim repeatedly telling Rahman to leave her alone. The victim also disclosed that Rahman was consistently controlling and abusive, getting angry when she went out with family and friends and making accusations about her behaviour.

Rahman, 29, of Gifford Road, Bedford, pleaded guilty to blackmail, voyeurism, harassment, controlling and coercive behaviour and threatening to disclose a private sexual film. On Thursday (12 October) he was sentenced to spend three years and four months behind bars. He was also given an indefinite restraining order against the victim.

Dips Wheeler, an investigation officer in Bedfordshire Police’s specialist Emerald domestic abuse team, said: “Rahman’s behaviour caused untold distress to the victim in this case, who I cannot praise enough for her bravery in coming forward and putting a stop to his abhorrent behaviour.

“Rahman was trying to control this woman, plain and simple. All of his actions demonstrated red flags for abusive, controlling and dangerous behaviour.

“These kinds of perpetrators must be stopped. If something like this is happening to you or someone you know, please report it so we can take action.

“I know coming forward to the police can be hard and feel scary, but we will support you at every stage to get justice and keep you safe.”

To access support visit the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website or you can report any concerns here.