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The four men were sentenced today at Belfast Crown Court. Google Streetview

Four men sent to prison for blackmailing couple in NI

A senior PSNI officer said blackmail can be a “difficult crime to combat”.

FOUR MEN HAVE been handed prison sentences at Belfast Crown Court today for blackmailing a couple in Northern Ireland.

Gary Fulton (40), Philip Blaney (48) and Marc Briggs (40)  were each sentenced to five years imprisonment for their roles in the blackmail of a couple in March 2011. They all pleaded guilty to two counts of blackmail.

Daniel Hamilton (31) was also sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting blackmail.

Detective Superintendent Philip Marshall, of the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, said sentencing was “the culmination of a complex and professional investigation”.

He said that blackmail can be a “difficult crime to combat” but police have systems in place to ensure that those who come forward with complaints are looked after properly. “We will work with them to ensure those responsible are apprehended,” he added.

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that the police and partners within the Criminal Justice System will bring those responsible for terrorising people to court and that those who are made amenable can expect to receive substantial sentences,” said Marshall.

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7 Comments
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    Mute Melanie O'Reilly
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    May 21st 2013, 6:25 PM

    What was the blackmailing about though? Was it something saucy?

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    Mute B9xiRspG
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    May 21st 2013, 6:40 PM

    I war thinking the same. …

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    Mute Cathal
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    May 21st 2013, 7:13 PM

    Amy, I am from the North… On my passport, it says i am Irish. Why in Gods name is this article on the International News section of Journal.ie and not the Irish News section?

    Do i need to change my passport now ?? :D

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    May 21st 2013, 8:51 PM

    Amy, with respect…what exactly is the story here???? Very little detail, just sentencing details.

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    Mute nanu
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    May 21st 2013, 10:28 PM

    ohh god…poor amy, getting it from all angles ?!?

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    Mute Ballsnall
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    May 22nd 2013, 5:15 PM

    A bit of a looker as well

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    Mute Ballsnall
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    May 22nd 2013, 5:14 PM

    Feck em Amy you’re top class

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