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Son kidnapped himself
26/ 3/2004
A MANCHESTER teenager faked his own kidnapping and tried to con
his own family out of a £1,000 ransom.
Ataur Rahman, aged 18, disappeared without warning from the family
home in South Street, Longsight, last November, Manchester Crown
Court head.
Next day there was a series of calls from two men and the family
was told Rahman was being held against his will over a debt.
They were repeatedly told he would not be freed until the £1000 was
paid and a body bag was mentioned.
Prosecutor Kevin Donnelly said twice Rahman also spoke. He claimed
to have been beaten while held captive.
He begged the ransom be paid to facilitate his release, saying he
had black eyes and was badly bruised.
By then police had been alerted.
Some calls to the family were recorded as 25-40 officers
investigated the "kidnapping".
Officers discovered they were coming from a telephone kiosk, which
was watched.
A man resembling the victim's description was seen nearby.
It was Rahman, who initially denied he had been kidnapped. He said
he had been in hiding from a number of people.
He also denied speaking to family members, but then made admissions
when some recordings were played back to him.
Rehman admitted blackmail and making an unwarranted demand for
money. He was given nine months detention.
Defending, Bunty Batra said in what was a highly unusual case
Rehman had been forgiven by his family.
They had written a letter to the court confirming they were
supportive of the teenager they felt was suffering from anxiety and
depression.
He had been affected by his father's serious illness plus the death
of his grandmother and did not appreciate the seriousness of his
conduct.
"It is clear he is deeply ashamed and knows he put his family
through a terrible ordeal over some hours," counsel added.
"He did have some debts at that time and it would seem he was
desperate for money."
Judge Anthony Ensor said blackmail was a "filthy" offence and
merited a custodial sentence.
Rahman's conduct had led to a substantial amount of police time
being wasted.
"You should be pleased your family had forgiven you," he told
Rahman.
"I have taken that into account along with other mitigation.
"But my public duty requires me to sentence you to a period of
detention to mark the seriousness of the offence and as a warning
to others."
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