Man 'trapped and helpless' after blackmail threat

Wiltshire Police say they have seen an increase in blackmailing cases over social media

A man blackmailed by a woman who was selling adult pictures of herself online has said he "felt trapped and helpless" and struggled to cover his household costs after paying her.

Bethan Guy, 26, from King John Street, Swindon, met her victim on SnapChat in 2022 and threatened to tell his partner he had bought her pictures.

She was given a two-year suspended sentence at the town's crown court on 15 October.

Wiltshire Police said officers are seeing more people being blackmailed after encounters on social media.

Guy was also ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work, take part in 15 rehabilitation days, 12 mental health treatment sessions and pay £450 to the victim after pleading guilty to blackmail.

In a statement to the court, her victim explained he did not "have enough money to pay my rent and bills" which was something that became "a huge strain" after Guy's demands, which happened in July and August 2022.

"I felt I had no choice but to pay the money, as she had made the threats very clear and I was afraid of the devastating effect it would have on my life if I didn’t pay," he added.

'Not your fault'

DC Emma Rossiter from Wiltshire Police said: "Sadly we are seeing increasing numbers of people being blackmailed through social media sites.

"If you’ve been a victim we’d like you to remember, whatever has happened is not your fault, even though you might have been told it is" she added.

The force acknowledged that it can be difficult to report this type of crime but there is help available.

It advised blackmail victims to stop all communication with the offender immediately and do not pay as it is not a guarantee the threats will stop.

Victims are also advised to save evidence such as usernames, email addresses, phone numbers and bank details used by the blackmailer.