"Flamethrower Rapper" Already With Record Now Sentenced Again After Petrol-Station Arson
- Catch A Thief UK
- Nov 30
- 3 min read
Catch a Thief Birmingham, UK
A 32-year-old rapper, known as Twista Cheese, has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, plus a two-year licence period, after a shocking petrol-station attack in which he used a makeshift flamethrower. The court described him as a “dangerous offender”.
The Holloway Head Service Station Attack
The incident took place on 12 January 2025 at the Holloway Head Service Station in Birmingham. CCTV footage presented in court shows Twista Cheese, real name Omar Abdirizak, becoming enraged over a fuel surcharge and allegedly missing cigarettes.
In the ensuing confrontation, he fashioned a weapon from an aerosol can and lighter, blasting flames at a staff member. He then forced his way through a service window into the shop, continued threatening the employee, and demanded cigarettes, which were handed over out of fear.
The assault escalated further when Abdirizak set fire to a Tango Ice Blast drinks machine inside the shop. He then discharged flames onto the petrol forecourt, dangerously close to fuel pumps, creating a major risk of explosion. Damage to the shop and forecourt was estimated at approximately £7,000.
During his arrest, he reportedly identified himself as “Satan”, claiming that “Allah told me to do it.”
Legal Consequences and Mental Health Context
On 18 November 2025, Abdirizak pleaded guilty to robbery and arson. Recorder Sunil Khanna described him as a dangerous offender, warning that his use of flames near petrol pumps “could cause just as much harm as a firearm.”
The defence emphasised Abdirizak’s mental-health history, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and heavy cannabis use, which they argued exacerbated his condition. Despite these mitigating factors, the judge concluded that the risk he posed to the public was intolerable, and the sentence reflects the gravity of both the offence and his previous record.
Previous Convictions and Pattern of Threatening Behaviour
This is not Abdirizak’s first brush with the law. In January 2025, he was convicted of sending a menacing video to far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The video, posted on TikTok and later X/Twitter, included gun gestures, threats, and references to “artillery”, which the court determined were likely to cause “apprehension of serious violence.”
That offence resulted in a 20-week jail sentence under the Communications Act 2003. Court documents also noted previous charges for possession of cannabis and a racially aggravated public order offence.
The combined history illustrates a pattern of threatening behaviour, disregard for public safety, and violent tendencies, highlighting the seriousness of the petrol-station attack.
Reaction and Public Safety Message
Following the court verdict, Twista Cheese posted a message on social media, blending regret with religious conviction:
“They can take away my freedom but they can’t break my spirit … if I’m still alive will come out stronger and better.”
An “Official Management Announcement” on the account declared that this was “not the end, only a pause,” and encouraged fans to continue streaming his music.
Officials emphasise that the attack, using a DIY flamethrower near petrol pumps, could have caused a devastating fire or explosion, placing staff and members of the public at serious risk.
For petrol-station operators and retailers, the case is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with prior convictions who may act unpredictably or violently, and of the importance of vigilance and staff safety protocols.
Catch a Thief UK will continue to follow this case, including any appeals, licence-release conditions, and further developments regarding public safety measures at petrol stations nationwide.
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