A man and woman have been sentenced today, Tuesday 6th June, for blackmail-related offences. Jason Hamill (31) and Lorna White (27) were both sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court. Mr Hamill, from Newtownbutler in Co Fermanagh, was sentenced to four years and four months after pleading guilty to blackmail.
Meanwhile Ms White, from the village of Brookeborough, was sentenced to three years and 10 months after entering a guilty plea to blackmail. Both sentences are on the basis of half to be served in custody and half on licence.
In a statement issued to Northern Sound News, Detective Inspector Bell said the sentences passed down to Mr Hamill and Ms White were related to their roles in blackmailing a man in the Lisburn area between the 21st of March and the 2nd of April 2022.
According to Detective Inspector Bell this was sinister behaviour from Mr Hamill and Ms White and the victim felt intimidated by their campaign of blackmail. "It was a distressing ordeal for the man involved and I hope today's sentencing provides some reassurance to the man's family and to the public," he added.
Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Bell said he was keen to take the opportunity to encourage anyone else who may be the victim of blackmail to contact police on 101 or a report can be submitted online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
