Portsmouth Man Jailed for Dating Site Blackmail
Sam Shepherd, from Kent Street, Portsmouth, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 15 April. He admitted blackmailing two victims in South Gloucestershire and Bristol. Shepherd targeted victims on a dating website, then threatened to spill intimate details to their family and friends.
Victims Forced to Pay Thousands
Shepherd arranged face-to-face meetings and demanded large sums of money. One victim’s impact statement revealed the trauma caused: “It’s been three months since the blackmail began, but it has felt like an incredibly long, torturous and traumatic time.”
“I have gone from feeling confident, capable, in control, optimistic and more to now feeling ashamed, overwhelmed with my loss of life, depressed, anxious, and paranoid. My life has fallen apart around me.”
Though his arrest eased some fear, the victim added, “I still fear for the future.”
Police Warn of More Victims
DS Sharon Maggs said, “Sam Shepherd inflicted mental abuse on his victims by threatening to reveal intimate or fabricated details to their family and friends. It was a cruel, manipulative crime designed to extort money and silence victims.”
Police believe there could be more victims and urge anyone recognising Shepherd or his blackmail tactics to call 101. Use the reference number 5220229864 when reporting.
