A man from Birmingham has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for a sustained blackmail campaign that terrorised a couple and forced them to flee their home.
Nine Months of Threats and Extortion
Twaha Kaana, aged 27, began his campaign of intimidation in August 2020 after the victims refused him entry to a party at their flat in the Rednal area. He initially pressured the couple into transferring him £100, claiming it was for drinks he had bought.
What started as a single demand, however, spiralled into a nine-month ordeal. Kaana, described in court as a "physically large and imposing" man, subjected the pair to repeated threats of violence to extort more money. He sent menacing messages, made threatening calls, and turned up at their flat in person.
A Campaign of Terror
The court heard how Kaana's threats escalated. He warned he would stab the male victim or shoot him with a crossbow. On another occasion, he got into his girlfriend's car to intimidate her and threatened to blow up the vehicle.
Fearing for their safety and doubting police protection, the couple complied with his demands. Over the following months, they were coerced into making 60 separate transactions, totalling nearly £10,000 – almost one hundred times the initial demand.
The financial and emotional toll was devastating. The money plundered was savings intended for a house deposit. The relentless stress contributed to the woman suffering a miscarriage. With no money left to give, they were forced to visit relatives' homes just to eat.
Justice Served at Birmingham Crown Court
The couple finally reported Kaana to the police in May 2021. Twaha Kaana of Ernest Road, Sparkbrook, was found guilty of two counts of blackmail and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, January 14.
Judge Paul Farrer KC told Kaana he had used his stature to "bully and intimidate others into giving you money." He noted that while Kaana never carried out his violent threats, the fact he "terrorised two victims" made the offences more serious.
The court heard that Kaana, who came to the UK from Burundi aged three, had lost his security job during the Covid pandemic. His defence barrister, Sarah Allen, said the crimes were committed due to "financial stress."
The former couple, who have since separated, were awarded £600 in compensation from cash seized from Kaana upon his arrest. The female victim was so traumatised she moved out of Birmingham and remains fearful of returning.
