A FLINTSHIRE man has been jailed for the "wicked" way he blackmailed a person who'd sent intimate images. 

Jack Ledward, Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (August 24).

The 25-year-old had previously admitted the offences of blackmail and fraud by false representation. 

Rosemary Proctor, prosecuting, said that the male victim, who can't be named for legal reasons, had used a website called Vivastreet - which is used by people looking for adult services. 

The court was told that the man was looking to pay a woman to message him sexual content. On February 6, 2021, he began communication with an individual whose profile username was 'Rhi' - which was in fact Ledward. The profile picture was of a dark haired woman in her twenties. 

It was agreed that 'Rhi' would provide the man with 30 messages, including videos and voicenotes for £33. 'Rhi' requested the man contact her via Whatsapp, instead of on Vivastreet. He was instructed to transfer £33 into an account called 'Lucy' and received the photos and videos as agreed. However, it was clear to the man that the photos and videos didn't match the Vivastreet profile picture of 'Rhi'.

The man sent two intimate images of his genitalia. 'Rhi' then asked for images of the man's face. The man refused, saying he was married.

Matters then escalated, with 'Rhi' sending the man a screenshot of a conversation they had about meeting up, and of his and his wife's Facebook profiles. They were accompanied with a message saying: "You are going to give me what I want or all of this is going to be put on Facebook". 

'Rhi' then demanded the man pay £500 otherwise all of the material, including intimate images, would be posted online. 'Rhi' settled for a sum of £300 - which was transferred to the account under the name 'Lucy' on February 6. 

'Rhi' contacted the man again - this time demanding to see intimate photos of his wife, with 'Rhi' claiming she was bisexual. Concerned, the man sent historical, non-sexual images of his wife. 'Rhi' also demanded she see his wife's underwear drawer. 

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'Rhi' said this was going to keep happening until more money was sent. The man took out a loan of £2,000. It was agreed that if the man paid a further £600, the blackmail would stop. On February 6, a further £600 was transferred. 

The victim said in a statement read out to the court that he considered taking his own life due to the blackmail. 

He reported the matter to the police on February 8, 2021. Investigations into bank details led the police to Ledward, who was arrested on April 1, 2021. During a second interview with police a week later, Ledward admitted blackmailing the victim. 

Elin Owen, defending, said Ledward had expressed deep remorse for his actions. She described it as an "opportunistic" crime, in that Ledward "stupidly" only decided to blackmail the victim after being sent unsolicited intimate photographs. 

At the time, Ledward's business, a cafe, was struggling due to the effect of the Covid pandemic and he had young children to provide for. The crime is said to have been born out of a "desperate" attempt to find money, as opposed to greed or other intentions as Ledward was faced with losing his business, and home.

The court heard that Ledward also suffers from issues of depression and anxiety - which pre-dated the offending.

Judge Rhys Rowlands described it as a "truly wicked" and "despicable" crime which could only be dealt with by Ledward being placed in immediate custody. 

He sentenced Ledward, who had no prior convictions, to 14 month imprisonment.