Court told of ‘hostage’ threat
Thursday 11th November 2010, 6:30PM GMT.
A 71-year old Shrewsbury man was told a friend had been taken hostage and would be hurt if he did not hand over money, a court has heard.
Robert Jackson received two phone calls claiming Russell Blent had been tied up and would have his fingers cut off if the pensioner did not pay up.
But when Mr Jackson checked where the phone call had originated, he found it was from Blent’s own phone.
Blent, 30, of Falconry Way, Shrewsbury, admitted fraud when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.
However, Judge Robin Onions directed a verdict of not guilty on a charge of blackmail.
Judge Onions imposed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act after hearing that Blent had problems connected with his drug addiction.
He warned Blent that if he returned to drugs when he left hospital he may not see 40.
Mr Mark Sharman, prosecuting, said that in January Mr Jackson received a phone call saying Blent had been taken captive, bundled into a car and taken to a safe house.
He said a second call claimed Blent had been tied to a chair and would have his fingers cut off if Mr Jackson did not hand over money.
But the court was told Mr Jackson dialled 1471 and discovered the call had been made on Blent’s own phone.
Mr Jackson contacted police fearing for Blent’s safety and officers monitored further phone calls and arrested Blent.
Mr Ian Durrant, for Blent, said his client had originally been remanded in custody but had to be transferred to hospital for problems connected with drugs.
He said Blent was now responding to treatment but clearly still needed help with his addiction.
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