A teacher lost his job and attempted to take his own life after being blackmailed over a sexual video by a man posing as a woman online, a court has heard.
Derby Crown Court was told the victim believed he was speaking to a woman on Instagram when the conversation turned sexual. He was persuaded to record an explicit video, which he filmed in the disabled toilets at the educational establishment where he worked, and sent it to the account.
The profile was in fact being operated by 21-year-old Muaawiya Ameen, of Allenton.
Prosecutor James Sinclair said Ameen then demanded £1,000 from the victim, threatening to share the video with his manager if he did not pay. The pair eventually agreed on £400, which the victim sent via PayPal before reporting the matter to police.
Despite receiving the payment, Ameen went on to distribute the video to students at the victim’s workplace.
The court heard this led to the teacher being dismissed from his role and suffering severe emotional distress.
In a victim impact statement, he said he contemplated suicide and described the lasting impact the incident has had on his life.
Sentencing Ameen to 15 months in prison, Judge Shaun Smith KC described the offence as “wicked behaviour” and said it had devastating consequences.
He said the victim had endured fears over his privacy, reputation and personal safety, adding that even after money was paid, the video was still shared widely.
The judge said the victim was “finished in his job” and that, on the night the footage was circulated, he attempted to take his own life, adding that a chance phone call intervened and saved him.
Ameen pleaded guilty to blackmail and had no previous convictions.
Defence barrister Joseph Chivayo said his client acted under pressure from people he believed were friends and was trying to fit in. He said Ameen accepted responsibility for his actions and had the support of his family.
