News

Cardigan: Blackmailer’s family member to repay £10,000

Published

7 years ago

November 1, 2017

A FAMILY member of Cardigan blackmailer Linda Thomas is to repay the £10,000 she got out of her elderly victim to save her from a longer prison sentence.

Thomas, aged 62, refused to say what she did with the money.

Her barrister, Dean Pulling, told Swansea crown court today that it was now accepted that, because of the jury’s verdict, she had indeed made £10,000 by threatening to make a false allegation of sexual assault.

Mr Pulling said a member of Thomas’ family would raise the money.

Judge Geraint Walters said that if the whole of the £10,000 was not handed over within 56 days Thomas would serve an extra six months in prison.

Thomas, of Briscwm Cottages, is currently serving an 18 month sentence.

Thomas came unstuck when she demanded a second £10,000 and “caring bank staff” persuaded her 85 year old victim to tell them the what was going on.

Judge Walters said at her sentencing hearing that there was a suspicion that Thomas had been told that the police were on their way and that she hid the original £10,000.

Thomas, a cleaner, denied blackmail but was convicted after a trial.

The jury heard how the man was in the habit of giving her a peck on the cheek from time to time.

Thomas took advantage of that and told him she would claim that he had touched her breasts unless he gave her £10,000.

Her victim gave her £8,000 but she complained it was not enough and he withdrew a further £2,000.

By then staff at the town’s Lloyds bank had become worried about why he was withdrawing such large amounts of cash.

Thomas then threatened to complain that he had tried to rape her unless he handed over a further £10,000.

The court heard that he was so worried and embarrassed that he went to the bank again, but this time staff managed to persuade him to explain what was happening.

Staff then called in social services who contacted the police.

Judge Walters said if the staff had not shown such a caring attitude the entire £20,000 would have disappeared and the offending “would have forever remained a secret.”

Crime

Drink-driver crashes car while over twice the legal limit

Published

6 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

AN AMBLESTON motorist was disqualified after crashing his car into a hedge while over twice the drink-drive limit.

Andrew John, 59, collided with a signpost and hedge near Clarbeston Road on November 2.

Breath tests revealed 89 mcg of alcohol in his system; the legal limit is 35.

John pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without a valid licence.

He was handed a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and was banned from driving for 22 months.

John was also ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Homeless man avoids jail after supermarket assault

Published

6 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

A HOMELESS man narrowly avoided jail after assaulting a security guard at Morrisons in Haverfordwest.

Michael Carruthers, 32, pleaded guilty to attempting to steal food and assaulting security guard Maxwell Opoku, causing him to fall and injure his shoulder.

In court, Carruthers’ solicitor highlighted his client’s homelessness and ongoing struggles.

Carruthers was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 28 weeks, with 20 rehabilitation activity days and £200 compensation to Mr Opoku.