Millionaire businessman targeted by blackmailer

Man who demanded £5k from victim avoids jail because of ‘overcrowding’

- ROB KENNEDY

A BLACKMAILER who targeted a millionaire businessman has walked free from court.

Paul Robinson threatened to disclose what he claimed was damaging material about the victim, causing him great distress.

A court heard there is no suggestion any of the allegations made by the blackmailer were true. But the court heard he panicked and handed over thousands of pounds.

Robinson then made further contact demanding more money and making further threats and police were informed. Now the 61-year-old, of Salisbury Street, Gateshead, has been given a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court, partly because of prison overcrowding.

The court heard that the victim was at work when he was advised to phone back a man as soon as possible because he was claiming to be in possession of information about the company.

The victim returned the call and spoke to an intermediary, deployed by Robinson, who claimed he had information that HMRC would be interested in.