Blackmail
BLACKMAIL
Blackmail is an act of coercion
using the threat of revealing or
publicising either,
substantial true of false,and often
damaging information about a
person,
to the public,family members,or
associates unless certain demands
are met.
It may involve using threats of
physical mental or emotional harm,
or criminal prosecution,against the
victim
It is normally carried out for
personal gain,most commonly of
position,money or property.
Blackmail may also be considered
a form of extortion.
The Theft Act 1968 s21
21(1) A person is guilty of
blackmail if,with a view to gain for
himself or another,or with intent
to cause loss to another,he makes
any unwarranted demand with
menaces,and for this purpose
a demand with menaces is
unwarranted unless the person
making it,does so in the belief,
a) that he has reasonable grounds
for making the demand,and
b) that the use of the menaces is a
proper means of reinforcing the
demand
(2) the nature of the act or
omission demanded is immaterial,
and it is also immaterial whether
the menaces relate to action to be
taken by the person making the
demand.
(3) a person guilty of blackmail
shall on conviction on indictment
be liable to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding fourteen years.