A man who blackmailed a family business by demanding £10,000 has been jailed for four years.

Londoner Richard McDonald admitted threatening to harm and kidnap the Sheerness family and their children unless his demands were met.

The court heart how on September 5 the 57-year-old repeatedly called the shop in Minster-on-Sea , starting at 8am and continuously ringing throughout the day and claiming the money was owed in connection with a property in Spain.

McDonald told the shop owners he was travelling home through France and would hurt them if he didn't receive the cash.

Having discussed the threats, the family agreed to pay McDonald, of Lewisham Way, London, and transferred this into an account.

However, McDonald was not happy and demanded more money from the family and continued to call and threaten them.

Following this the family reported the incident and McDonald was arrested a day later on September 6.

'McDonald blackmailed the victims by making numerous, serious threats of violence and kidnap...'

The court heard how officers checked his phone and found records of calls made to the shop, as well as capturing his vehicle at the French Channel Tunnel before it returned to the UK.

As well as being sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, October 28, he was given a 10 year restraining order which prevents him from contacting the victims or visiting the Isle of Sheppey.

Investigating officer detective constable Martin Stevens said: "McDonald blackmailed the victims by making numerous, serious threats of violence and kidnap.

"The victims believed these threats would be carried out which caused them to not only fear for their own lives, but for the lives of their family.

"They attempted to appease him by transferring some money, however McDonald was not content with this and was relentless in his demands, continuing to call them and make further threats throughout the day.

"We work hard to support victims, no matter the type of crime, and his sentence reflects the seriousness of this offence."

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