Mother-of-two, 42, who tried to blackmail a magistrate out of £15,000 by claiming he sexually abused her three decades ago is spared jail

• Michelle Webster, 42, of Litherland, Merseyside, tried to blackmail a magistrate   
• She demanded £15,000 or she’d tell police he’d kissed and touched in the 90s
• The victim shared her menacing letter with friends, who told him to go to police 
• Webster wept in the dock as she was given an 18 month suspended sentence  

A woman tried to blackmail a magistrate out of £15,000 by claiming he sexually abused her more than 30 years ago.

Hospice worker Michelle Webster, 42, sent the man a letter alleging he had kissed her and touched her leg during an encounter in the 1990s and demanded money to not go to police.

The victim was said to be ‘utterly distraught’ by the letter but after taking advice from friends, showed it to police officers the next day.

Detectives investigated the mother-of-two’s allegations against the magistrate but took no further action against him. He cannot be named for legal reasons.

Michelle Webster, 42, tried to blackmail a magistrate out of £15,000 by claiming he sexually abused her more than 30 years ago

It emerged Webster had debts of almost £7,000 at the time of the blackmail. 

In a statement, the magistrate said: ‘This was a truly horrific experience which exacerbated my anxiety and at times I was unable to get out of bed. 

Detectives investigated Webster’s claims against the magistrate but took no further action against him

‘It left me feeling utterly distraught and it was a truly vile episode. I just want it over and done with and am very keen for the matter to be concluded.’

At Manchester Crown Court, Webster, from Litherland, near Liverpool, admitted blackmail and wept as she was given an 18 month sentence suspended for two years. 

She was also ordered to be electronically tagged as part of a 8pm-6am curfew.

The police investigation began in April 2019 after the magistrate received the letter at his home. 

Prosecutor Gwen Henshaw said: ‘The defendant said there was a witness and stated she knew a specialist police officer who, she said, knew she had a strong case of conviction and that his wife would be informed as he is a magistrate.

‘After seeking advice, the complainant handed over the letter to the police. 

‘The defendant was arrested at her home address on suspicion of blackmail and her response to the police was, “I admit it”.  

‘It is said the motivation for this offence was because of debt she accrued over the years as she was out of work. There was no trial of issue over the matter.’

Webster has no previous convictions and in mitigation, her counsel Natalia Cornwall said it was an ‘unusual case’.

Ms Cornwall stated: ‘She has never sought to deny what she did was wrong. She saved him from coming to court for a trial and she has not dug her heels in. This offence took no longer than 24 hours. No money was actually given to the defendant.

‘The financial motivation is denied by the defendant but she accepts the offence on the basis that that was her motivation.

‘Character references detail she is a kind and caring individual who would do nothing to hurt anybody. All have said the matter of this offence was out of character for her.

‘She is remorseful for what has happened. She recognises what she has done is wrong and how it was an absolutely stupid thing for her to do and she knows it.’

Webster, from Litherland, near Liverpool, admitted blackmail and wept as she was given an 18 month sentence suspended for two years

Webster’s defence counsel Natalia Cornwall said: ‘She recognises what she has done is wrong and how it was an absolutely stupid thing for her to do and she knows it’

Sentencing Webster, Judge Suzanne Goddard QC told her: ‘Blackmail is a very serious offence which the criminal justice system deals with very seriously. 

‘He said this was a truly horrific experience for the victim which exacerbated his anxiety and he was unable to get of bed. He said he was distraught by your behaviour.

‘You sent a single letter and asked for a significant amount of money when you were in debt at the time. You admitted the matter when you were first spoken to by the police just 24 hours after receiving the letter. No money changed hands.

‘You are a woman of positive good character. You have worked hard in your life and give support to your friends and the people you work with. You have a number of health issues which would make custody hard for you. I am able to step back from immediate custody today.’

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