man sentenced for sharing sexual images

MAN SENTENCED FOR SHARING SEXUAL IMAGES

In 2021 and 2022, a woman from Leicestershire reported to multiple police forces, including our own, that her private photos had been published on explicit websites and social media platforms without her consent.

She also received threatening letters at her residence and at the addresses of her family members, which included warnings of additional images being released.

One of these letters contained a hyperlink to one of the websites hosting the images.

Specialist investigators from the Digital Analysis and Investigation Unit (DAIU) worked to trace the device or devices used to access the social media accounts involved.

The investigation identified Abdul Al-Shajahan as the suspect.

In May 2022, Al-Shajahan was detained at his home in London, and multiple digital devices were seized by officers.

The authorities discovered that he had used these devices to search the internet for information related to the victim and her family.

Additionally, a list of street names in Leicester among them the victim’s was found at the residence.

Further inquiries linked an account on an adult website, which uploaded the images, to Al-Shajahan, confirming his connection to the material.

During questioning, he initially denied involvement but later responded with 'no comment' to all further questions.

On January 22, at Leicester Crown Court, Al-Shajahan admitted to one count of stalking, which caused serious alarm or distress, and one count of disclosing or threatening to disclose private sexual images or videos with intent to cause distress.

On February 26, he appeared before the same court, where the 39-year-old, residing on Hunton Street in Spitalfields, London, received a prison sentence of five years and four months.

He was also subject to a 10-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.