A woman tried to blackmail a magistrate out of £15,000 by claiming he sexually abused her more than 30 years ago.
Michelle Webster (42), a hospice worker, wrote a letter to the man alleging that he had touched and kissed her during sex in 1990s.
Although the victim seemed ‘utterly distraught’ at the contents of the letter, she sought advice from her friends and showed the letter to the police the next day.
Although detectives conducted an investigation into the allegations of the mother-of-2 against the magistrate, they did not take any further action. Legal reasons prevent him from being named.
Michelle Webster, 42, tried to blackmail a magistrate out of £15,000 by claiming he sexually abused her more than 30 years ago
It emerged Webster had debts of almost £7,000 at the time of the blackmail.
The magistrate stated in a statement that it was an extremely horrible experience. It exacerbated my anxiety, and I could not get up from the bed at times.
Webster made claims against the magistrate, but detectives did not pursue any further actions against Webster
“It was extremely distressing and it was truly awful. It is overdue and I want the matter resolved.
Webster was from Litherland in Liverpool and admitted blackmail. Webster received an 18-month sentence that is suspended for two year at Manchester Crown Court.
A curfew of 8pm-6am was also imposed on her, which required that she be electronic tagged.
After receiving the letter from the magistrate at his residence, the police investigation started in April 2019.
Prosecutor Gwen Henshaw said: ‘The defendant said there was a witness and stated she knew a specialist police officer who, she said, knew she had a strong case of conviction and that his wife would be informed as he is a magistrate.
“After seeking assistance, the complainant turned over the letter the the police.
She was suspected of blackmail, and was then taken to her house.
It is believed that she committed this crime because she had accumulated debt over her years of being out of work. The matter was not subject to trial.
Webster is free from any previous convictions. In mitigation, Natalia Cornwall stated that it was an unusual case.
Ms Cornwall said that she has not tried to change her mind about what she did wrong. He was saved by her and she is not going to trial. The entire process took less than 24 hours. In reality, the defendant did not receive any money.
Although the defendant denied the motivation for financial reasons, she admitted to the offense that it was the motivation.
She is described as a caring, kind person who will do anything to help others. She was told by all that she did not have the character to commit this offense.
She is sorry about what she has done. She knows that she is responsible for what she did, and it was a stupid decision.
Webster from Litherland in Liverpool admitted blackmailing and wept during her 18 month suspended sentence for two years
Natalia Cornwall, Webster’s defense counsel said that Webster recognizes the wrong she did and it is a stupid thing she did. She also knows this.
When Webster was sentenced, Judge Suzanne Goddard (QC) told Webster: “Blackmail is an extremely serious offense which the criminal justice systems deals with very seriously.”
“This was for the victim a really horrible experience. It made his anxiety worse, and he couldn’t get up from bed. He stated that he was upset by your behavior.
“You wrote a one-page letter asking for money, even though you were already in serious debt. When you received the first police call, within 24 hours of receiving it, you admitted to the matter. The money was not exchanged.
“You’re a positive, strong woman. Your life has been hard. You are a strong supporter of your family and friends. Custody would be difficult for you if there are a variety of medical issues. I’m able to resign from immediate custody now.