A Bedford man who attempted to blackmail a woman by threatening to release a video of her in the shower has been brought to justice.
Alaur Rahman used multiple phones to harass and intimidate the victim, demanding a £2,000 ransom or he’d release the video that had been recorded without her consent.
He also said he would send people to torture her and her family if she did not pay him.
Recorded phone conversations, later provided to the police, exposed the victim’s repeated pleas for Rahman to end his harassment.
During the investigation, it was found that Rahman had consistently exerted control over the victim, displaying abusive behaviour, and getting angry when she spent time with her family and friends. He also made unjustified 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.”
