R V Hester 2007 Ecom 2127 Court Of Appeal
R v Hester [2007] EWCA Crim 2127 Court of Appeal
The appellant was a police officer who had become involved with a criminal enterprise involving blackmail of two wealthy businessmen, Scragg and Phillips, who provided payroll services to the construction industry. The appellant's co-defendant, McKay, had contacted Scragg and arranged a business meeting in a pub. When Scragg turned up he was attacked by a gang who were waiting for him and falsely imprisoned in an upstairs room of the pub. Phillips was contacted by McKay who demanded £72,000 for the release of Scragg. He directed Phillips to pay the money to the appellant. The appellant was then contacted and informed of the situation and told to receive the money. He was convicted of blackmail
The appellant was a police officer who had become involved with a criminal enterprise involving blackmail of two wealthy businessmen, Scragg and Phillips, who provided payroll services to the construction industry. The appellant's co-defendant, McKay, had contacted Scragg and arranged a business meeting in a pub. When Scragg turned up he was attacked by a gang who were waiting for him and falsely imprisoned in an upstairs room of the pub. Phillips was contacted by McKay who demanded £72,000 for the release of Scragg. He directed Phillips to pay the money to the appellant. The appellant was then contacted and informed of the situation and told to receive the money. He was convicted of blackmail