A son threatened his mother with a hunting knife and took £1,800 from her before stealing her car. He sent threatening messages to family in a WhatsApp group, referring to himself as a "big time gangster boss" and "big man".
Sadikur Rahman, 25, of Newport, had been acting erratically and aggressively at the home of his mother on December 1 last year and had left the address. But he returned at 2am the next day and asked to speak to his mother, who had locked her bedroom door due to his past behaviour.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard the victim unlocked the door but Rahman became aggressive and demanded money. It was then the victim saw the defendant holding a large hunting knife in his hand which he then held against her face just centimetres from her nose. He then ran the blade along her arms, saying "See this? Look at me."
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The victim described her son's behaviour as "strange" as he was baring his teeth, widening his eyes and was trying to intimidate her, saying he was "going to show her how to become the devil". Prosecutor Josh Scouller said Rahman told his mother to give money, and she handed over £1,800. He then sat on the bed, telling his mother not to move from his sight.
Using a phone in the house, he sent threatening messages to relatives on a family group chat on WhatsApp, calling them "c****", "snitches" and "smelly fish". He referred to himself as a "big time gangster boss" and "big man". He accused the family of failing to lend him money, and was forced to take money from his mother and admitted he had "done a lot of bad things" to her.
Rahman made specific threats to his uncle, threatening to kill him, his wife and his children. He also filmed himself slashing at a wall with the knife, which he uploaded to the WhatsApp group. He continued to shout at his mother and told her to pack bags in a case and told her he was taking his passport and was going to go to Europe.
The defendant then took the keys to his mother's silver Toyota Corolla and threatened to kill himself if anyone called the police. He left at 4am but was later found by police asleep behind the wheel nearby. He was arrested and searched, which led to the discovery of the hunting knife. In his police interview, he denied threatening his mother and claimed he had been abused by members of his family.
Rahman, of Dolphin Street, later pleaded guilty to affray, criminal damage, possession of a bladed article, malicious communications, taking a motor vehicle without consent, and driving while disqualified and without insurance. The court heard he had previous convictions for drug driving.
In mitigation, defence barrister Ben Waters said there had been concerns by his client's family about his mental health before his arrest. Upon his arrest, he was given anti-psychotic medication while in custody. Mr Waters said the defendant has self-harmed in prison and claimed to be a victim of an assault. He said there seemed to be an "underlying issues" in relation to his mental health, exacerbated by cannabis use. Rahman was said to have a "deep level of remorse and contrition" for his behaviour towards his mother .
Recorder Neil Owen-Casey sentenced Rahman to 12 months imprisonment. He disqualified the defendant from driving for 23 months.
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