INVOLVED in the blackmail of a Bude scrap metal dealer, 49-year-old ice cream salesman John Harris and Helen Haskell, aged 33, were each ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for the community when they appeared before Truro Crown Court on Wednesday, February 4.

Harris, of Lynstone Road, Bude admitted two charges of having twice acquired £500 knowing or suspecting it to be the proceeds of criminal conduct between July 31 and October 14, 2007.

Haskell, of New Road, Stratton, pleaded guilty to one charge of blackmail.

Her partner, 37-year-old Paul Seymour, formerly of the same address but who now lives in Newquay, had earlier admitted two charges of blackmail and was remanded on bail to await sentence.

Prosecutor Llewellyn Sellick revealed that in August, 2007, Mr James Wooldridge was assaulted by two men. The blackmail arose from his son, Anthony, wanting to gain revenge. He approached Harris, whom he had known for about ten years, asked if he knew of people who could assist, and was told that it would "cost a bit."

Harris said they would "break their legs, shoot them and take them out to sea with concrete shoes."

Harris did not want that to happen and went back to Mr Wooldridge saying that the men were angry and wanted payment. Twice he was given £500.

The blackmail did not stop. Seymour made threats and a threatening message was scratched onto Mr Wooldridge's lorry.

Mr Wooldridge told his girlfriend and father and the police were informed. They set up recording devices when Haskell collected £2,000, marked by dye, in Morrison's supermarket.

Mr Sellick said that when Harris was arrested he accepted he had got in touch with Seymour, and had received £100 for the part he played, while Haskell accepted her role was to collect the money.

'VERY FRIGHTENED'

Defence counsel Robert Linford said that Harris, a man of previous good character, had become involved in something completely out of his league. He was very frightened by Seymour.

Ramsay Quaife, for Haskell, revealed that in 1997, Seymour had received a 12-year jail sentence in Australia for importing a large quantity of ecstacy, and had other convictions for violence and drunkeness. The prosecution, he submitted, had been punishment enough for her.

Judge Christopher Elwen told the defendants that they had got themselves involved with a man who was plainly somewhat dangerous, violent and often drunk. When Harris learned what might be done he got cold feet and decided to call the whole thing off.

"But, reading between the lines, Seymour was not happy about that and was looking for money. Various unwarranted demands were made to Mr Wooldridge and you both came to be collectors of money from the victim.

"I accept, Harris, that you got out of your depth and embarked on something quite out of character but out of fear of Seymour felt you had to hang in there.

"It is clear, Haskell, that your relationship with Seymour was one that I and many people would find very difficult to understand but these relationships do exist and you were plainly embroiled with someone whom you fund it difficult to say 'no' to.

"This whole scheme, and your particular involvements in it, are too serious for discharges or fines. I have taken into account that you both pleaded guilty and both have no previous convictions."

Harris was ordered to pay £200 towards the prosecution costs.