Victims urged to come forward as man sentenced for sharing sexual images

Officers from our Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit (DAIU) are urging victims to come forward after a man was jailed for sharing sexual images.

In 2021 and 2022, a woman living in Leicestershire contacted several forces – including ourselves – stating someone had published private photos of her on explicit websites and social media platforms.

This was accompanied by letters sent to her home, as well as those of family members, threatening to disclose further images. A link to one of the websites was also included in the letter.

Specialist work was undertaken by DAIU officers to identify the device or devices that had been used to access the social media accounts in question – and the name that came back was Abdul Al-Shajahan.

In May 2022, Al-Shajahan was arrested at his home in London and several digital devices were recovered. Officers found he had used these to carry out internet searches on the victim and her family. Also found inside the property was a list of road names in Leicester, including the victim’s.

Further checks regarding an account on an explicit website that uploaded the images identified it had been set up by Al-Shajahan.

In interview, he initially denied any wrongdoing before later answering ‘no comment’ to all questions asked.

On 22 January, at Leicester Crown Court, Al-Shajahan pleaded guilty to one count of stalking involving serious alarm/distress and one count of disclosing/threatening to disclose private sexual images/films with intent to cause distress.

Yesterday (Thursday 26 February) at the same court, the 39-year-old – of Hunton Street in Spitalfields, London – was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to a 10-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Abdul Al-Shajahan

Detective Constable Thomas White was the officer in the case. He said: “Al-Shajahan’s actions have had a major impact on the victim’s wellbeing.

“It’s hard to imagine the level of distress he caused her and she told police she could not live a normal life. I hope today’s outcome provides her with a sense of closure and allows her to rebuild as best she can.

“No-one should have to be a victim of such crimes and I would like to think this case will serve as a reminder to any other victims that police will investigate any reports and seek to bring those responsible for causing such harm to justice.”

Detective Sergeant Parms Kang added: “This has been a complex and lengthy investigation spanning years of abuse.

“Al-Shajahan’s abuse has been some of the worst I have seen. At the centre of this is a victim whose life has been massively impacted as a result of his vile actions.

“I want to thank the victim who has been incredibly strong in testing times. I hope the message is clear that domestic abuse has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.”

• There are several different agencies who can offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences