Two-Time Blackmailer Gets Suspended Prison Sentence

A blackmailer, convicted of making demands on the individuals of two companies, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Anthony George McPherson, 53, of Gutenburg Court, Grange Road, Bermondsey fought the charges, but was convicted by a Southwark Crown Court jury.

The charge is usually met with an immediate custodual sentence, but the trial judge decided the circumstances of the case did not merit McPherson going straight to prison.

He was originally charged with blackmailing a man associated with a Borough-based events company by making an unwarranted demand for £50,000 on or before October 9, last year.

He was also charged with similarly blackmailing a man who works for a seperate company, by making a demand for £150,000 on October 7, last year.

As a condition of bail McPherson was prohibited from contacting either company or their employees.

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to complete 150 hours community service and pay £500 costs.