Mohammed Bostan, 40, has been jailed for two years and five months after admitting affray and assault, bringing an end to an eight-year campaign of harassment against a couple living opposite him in a Birmingham tower block.
Birmingham Crown Court heard that Bostan repeatedly entered the victims' flat without permission, poured bleach and petrol over their front door, brandished knives, and made countless threats. The couple, parents of four children, became so anxious about his 'bizarre behaviour' that they began sleeping next to their front door to protect their family.
Eight years of fear and intimidation
Prosecutor Simon Worlock described how Bostan, known to the victims as 'Izzy', lived on the same floor at Studley Tower in Highgate. "He has caused mayhem for this couple, who have four children," Worlock told the court. "They have to live or sleep close to the front door just in case the defendant is in one of his unstable moods."
The prosecutor detailed a series of incidents over eight years, including verbal abuse, threats to the couple and their children, and the pouring of bleach and petrol on their front door. On one occasion, Bostan warned he would burn their apartment down. The female victim felt the defendant was 'obsessed' with her, and Bostan entered their flat 'on many occasions without permission when the door had not been locked'.
Climax in January incidents
The situation escalated in January this year. On the first occasion, the couple were watching a film with their children when Bostan, wearing a ski mask and balaclava, and another man armed with a knife, knocked on their door. They attempted to force their way in, but the male victim pushed them back into the communal area. While on the phone to police, the victim heard one of the men shout: "Do you think you can get us arrested easily and get away with it?" Bostan and the other man were arrested that day.
Later that month, the male victim left the flat early to go to the shop and saw Bostan with three other men outside, all dressed in dark clothing. "As he walked through one of the unknown men struck him to the eyebrow with a sharp object," Worlock said. "As he was struck he could clearly hear the word 'snitch' being used by one of the men, but not Bostan." The victim returned home and used butterfly stitches to close the wound.
Defence and sentencing
Annabel Hale, defending, said Bostan had struggled with alcohol use and recognised its role in his behaviour. "He is sorry for the distress caused. The time in custody (on remand) has given him time and space to repent for his actions," she said. The barrister noted that Bostan had previously been a victim of a hit-and-run, which left him bedbound for a prolonged period and impacted his mental health. She also cited an 'element of provocation' in his actions.
Judge Stacy Newnham-Payne concluded there was a 'longstanding feud' between Bostan and the victims. "This is serious offending behaviour and only immediate custody will do," she said. "I am not satisfied about any realistic prospect of rehabilitation in the community."
On July 29, Bostan, of Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath, was sentenced to two years and five months and banned from contacting the couple by a restraining order.
