Belfast teen who blackmailed ‘vulnerable’ gay man over his sexuality sentenced
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A Belfast teenager has been handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay compensation after he blackmailed a “vulnerable” gay man over his sexuality. On Wednesday (6 March), Judge Donna McColgan sentenced the defendant, who was 17 at the time of the offences, to a two-year jail term, suspended for three years, and ordered him to pay £5,000 to the victim.
The court heard that the teenager admitted to three charges of blackmail between June and August 2020. The victim, a man in his twenties, was threatened by the defendant with exposure of his sexuality to his parents. When the victim disclosed that his parents already knew about his sexual orientation, the defendant continued to harass him with threatening messages, demanding money. In total, £395 was extorted from the victim.
Crown prosecutor David McNeill described the blackmail as “persistent and forceful,” noting that the defendant was aware of the victim’s autism and exploited it for his own gain. The defendant’s actions were deemed “wholly unacceptable” by his lawyer, Sean Mullan, who also pointed out that the amount of money involved was relatively low.
In mitigation, Mullan highlighted that if not for the delay in the case being heard, the defendant would have been tried in Youth Court. Judge McColgan issued a five-year restraining order against the teenager and emphasized that the compensation awarded covered not only the money taken from the victim but also reflected the psychological harm caused.
The case sheds light on a broader issue of rising hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK. A report released in December revealed that crimes against LGBTQ+ people are on the rise, with many individuals reporting fear of holding hands with their partners in public due to possible negative reactions. Recent Home Office data showed a 41% increase in sexual orientation hate crimes in England and Wales, with transgender hate crimes also rising by 56%.
It is essential for anyone who witnesses or experiences a hate crime to report it to the authorities. The police can be reached at 101, or individuals can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. In case of an emergency, dial 999 for immediate assistance.
The sentencing of the Belfast teenager serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against hate crimes and supporting vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. By holding perpetrators accountable and providing support to victims, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals.
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