Blackmailer jailed for accusing men of sex crimes

A man who demanded money from six men he falsely claimed had chatted to underage girls online has been jailed.

Shaun Chalmers, 27, created fake profiles of females on websites then claimed they were underage when men contacted them.

Bradford Crown Court was told one victim paid £5,500 to Chalmers as part of the "well-planned blackmail" while another was told "it could all go away" if he paid £800.

Chalmers, of no fixed address, had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail and was jailed for three years and two months.

Judge Sophie McKone said when demands for money were made, the complainants believed they were going to be referred to police for sexual communication with a child.

The court heard Chalmers and his then partner Courtney Bellingham, who allowed her bank accounts to be used, were both arrested and bailed in May 2021, but the offending had continued until September of that year.

Bellingham, 27, of Ford, Queensbury, was previously found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail and given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years at the hearing earlier.

She was also ordered to comply with 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days and do 200 hours unpaid community work.

Sentencing, Judge McKone said Chalmers "acted out of sheer greed" and his actions had caused all his victims significant distress and worry.

She said the complainants had not committed any offence, but Chalmers made them believe what they were doing was wrong.

"Blackmail is rightly described as always nasty and always mean. It is very serious," the judge said.

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