A woman has been jailed for blackmailing and threatening an elderly man in Tewkesbury.
Donna Green, aged 55 and formerly of Cinnamon Close in the Walton Cardiff area of Tewkesbury, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday 14 February where she was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
The court heard how Green had made demands for money from the victim, who was aged in his 70s, by threatening him with violence and the termination of their friendship.
She made him run errands for her at all times of the day and night and threatened him with violence if he did not do it. Telephone evidence revealed Green had demanded the victim pay for her bills, food, shopping and phone contracts.
This took place between 20 March and 13 October 2023 and in total £5,576 had been transferred from the victim’s to Green’s bank account.
Suspicions were raised when one of the victim’s support workers noticed there were large amounts of money going out of his bank each month, that he was in debt and at risk of losing his tenancy as he was not paying his rent or bills.
Others known to the victim also raised concerns that he was being taken advantage of and when asked about this, the victim said that he was giving his friend approximately £800 a month and if he stopped she told him she would stop visiting him.
Green was arrested on 12 October 2023 and gave a pre-prepared statement when questioned by officers. She was released on bail so that downloads from the mobile phones belonging to both her and the victim could take place.
This showed several threatening messages that were sent by Green as well as demands for money.
Green was interviewed again in September 2024 and subsequently charged with blackmail and malicious communications and later pleaded guilty to the offences.
In mitigation, Green said that she and the victim were close friends and that she was using his money to help support him with errands and bills.
As well as being jailed, Green became subject to a seven year long restraining order preventing her from contacting the victim, be it directly or indirectly, and entering the road where he lives or any property bordering on that road.
Investigating officer PC Bundock said: “Green’s conviction was a joint effort between police and our colleagues at Bromford Housing to help protect a vulnerable man.
“Green took advantage of the man and regularly used threats of violence or the end of their friendship to get what she wanted.
“I hope this conviction and sentencing shows how seriously we treat crimes of this type.”
