MAN BLACKMAILED EX-PARTNER FOR £7,500 DRUG MONEY
A man circulated videos in which he drove past his ex-partner's mother’s residence, accompanied by ominous film music, as part of a harassment campaign.Liam Johnson repeatedly demanded money from his former partner in a threatening manner to support his cocaine dependency, a court was informed.
Although he started a new relationship in February of the previous year, Johnson continued to visit his ex-partner, pressing her for financial assistance related to drugs.
At Durham Crown Court, it was explained that Johnson’s conduct worsened after the death of close family members, which contributed to his drug abuse problems.
Prosecutor Adrian Strong noted that Johnson’s ex-partner, who was a single mother employed as a hospital cleaner, had limited disposable income and struggled to provide him with money regularly.
He stated, “But, if she refused his requests, he became menacing and made threats to cause trouble for her.” Mr.
Strong added that Johnson would claim he was visiting his daughter at their home in Stanley, County Durham, but would then ask for cash.
His threats escalated when denied, including plans to vandalise her mother’s property and reporting her to social services as a “bad mother.” He also attempted to intimidate her by posting videos of himself driving past her mother’s house and other sites associated with her family, with the menacing Jaws theme music playing in the background.
Over roughly eight months, she estimated that she had given him about £7,500, which forced her to rely on credit cards.
The stress from this ordeal caused her to have a breakdown at work.
She felt incapable of working and her circumstances worsened, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.
Eventually, she could no longer meet Johnson’s demands and only managed to pay him £52 in September of the previous year, yet he persisted with requests.
After giving in to his pressure to buy petrol for his car, she was screamed at as if possessed and threatened with strangulation, even reaching toward her throat.
During this assault, his hand hit her face, leaving her with a black eye.
In another incident in November, when she refused him entry to her home, Johnson damaged her car’s bodywork and headlights.
Unable to afford full repairs, the vehicle failed its MOT, making it unusable despite her still owing finance payments.
He visited her home again on November 21, where she threatened to call the police.
Johnson responded with a gesture indicating he wanted to slit his own throat, but she still reported his behavior.
He was detained on November 27 and only denied being at her home on one of the alleged occasions.
Johnson, who previously had a good character, pled guilty to charges of blackmail, property damage, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
The 34-year-old, recently residing on Gartland Road, Grindon, Sunderland, confirmed these charges during earlier court appearances.
Defense solicitor Kate Barnes explained that the recent deaths of three relatives in 2023 led to Johnson suffering depression and anxiety.
She said this emotional distress contributed to his cocaine addiction and that his financial requests were driven by a need to fund his drug use.
“It was completely out of character, and he wishes to express he is thoroughly ashamed of how he behaved.” she stated.
Miss Barnes also noted Johnson was participating in a drug recovery program to assist with detoxification.
However, she acknowledged that his prolonged behavior caused significant trauma not only to his former partner but also to her children.
Judge Francis Laird described the period from March to November last year as a campaign of blackmail by Johnson against his ex-partner.
Her payments of £7,500, she said, were money she could not afford to give.
The victim eventually found the courage to report the abuse to Stanley Police Station in November.
Sentencing Johnson to 30 months in prison, the judge described it as the minimum appropriate penalty under the circumstances.
Additionally, a restraining order was issued, banning Johnson from contacting or approaching his ex-partner for the next ten years.
