Blackmailer Jailed After Terrorising Family with Kidnap Threats
Relentless Calls and Violent Threats
Richard McDonald, 57, confessed to blackmailing a family in Sheerness and was locked up at Maidstone Crown Court on 28 October 2020. On 5 September, McDonald targeted the family’s business in Minster-on-Sea, bombarding their shop with multiple harassing calls from 8am onwards.
He threatened to harm and kidnap the family and their children unless they handed over cash – claiming the money was owed over a Spanish property.
Threats Escalate Despite Payment
The terrified family agreed to pay McDonald some money, transferring it to his account. But the blackmailer wasn’t satisfied. He kept dialing, threatening more violence as his demands escalated throughout the day.
Fed up and fearing for their lives, the family reported the ordeal to police. McDonald was arrested the very next day, on 6 September.
Police Evidence and Travel Tracking
Investigators found McDonald’s mobile phone was used to make the abusive calls. CCTV and travel logs placed his vehicle at the French Channel Tunnel around 3.10pm on 5 September, before returning to the UK by 4.52pm – backing up his threats of travel.
Harsh Sentence and Long Restraining Order
Not only was McDonald jailed, but he was slapped with a 10-year restraining order banning all contact with the victims and forbidding him from stepping foot on the Isle of Sheppey.
Detective Constable Martin Stevens said: “McDonald blackmailed the victims with serious threats of violence and kidnap. They genuinely feared for their lives and their family’s safety. Even after receiving money, he relentlessly pressured them with more threats. This sentence sends a clear message about the gravity of his crime.”
