A man who made menacing blackmail demands following the sale of a horse has been warned he could receive a prison sentence.
Lee Concannon, 31, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court in front of a judge and faced three charges.
Concannon pleaded guilty to three offences of blackmail which were committed on June 7, 8 and 9 2021 in the Southwaite area.
The charges state that with a view to making a gain for himself or another, or to cause loss to someone else, he made unwarranted demands to another individual with menaces.
His crimes are said to have been committed following the sale of a horse for a four-figure sum between the two parties.
Concannon, a man of previous good character, had his case adjourned for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report.
Judge Ian Unsworth KC said this document would address Concannon’s attitude towards his offending and explore his background circumstances while also making sentencing recommendations to the court. He noted that the defendant had pleaded guilty to three very serious offences.
And as he bailed Concannon, of Elgin Terrace, Hamilton, Judge Unsworth told him: “Please do not read anything into the fact that I am granting you bail or that I am adjourning the matter for a pre-sentence report. You should prepare yourself for a custodial sentence but it is important that all matters are properly explored.”
