Prolific offender Jamie Lines jailed for blackmailing vulnerable woman

Jamie Lines, of HMP Hewell but previously of Ombersley Road, Worcester, stood in the dock with his arms behind his back as a judge told him he was a "dishonest man".

The 30-year-old had previously admitted blackmail, appearing at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (January 17) for sentencing.

Peter McCartney, prosecuting, said Lines and the victim met on a dating website before she agreed to pay for a taxi for Lines to come to her home on July 13, 2021.

JAILED: Jamie Lines (Image: West Mercia Police)

The victim agreed Lines could take her bank card, withdrawing £100, and a day later Lines made further requests for money for a total of £80 - the victim agreeing to pay.

The prosecutor said: "They were loans (the victim) expected repayment."

Blackmail victim says she doesn't think she could ever forgive Jamie Lines

On July 14 Lines demanded a further £80.

The victim then later made a request for all the money to be paid back, but Lines claimed he owed her nothing and instead she owed him cash. 

The prosecutor said Lines committed the blackmail by saying she either paid him money or he would reveal things about her online adding: "you will be in trouble".

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The court heard the victim's personal statement in which she said: "Jamie you made me feel scared. 

"I don't think I can ever forgive you for what you did to me."

The court heard the victim's health and confidence had been impacted and shaken by the crime. 

Mr McCartney added Lines had 30 previous convictions including offences of robbery, burglary, fraud, possession of a knife and possession of class A drugs. 

COURT: Jamie Lines appeared at Worcester Crown Court

Nicholas Berry, defending, said the blackmail wasn't a "campaign lasting months", but instead Lines committed the offences over a matter of days.

The barrister said the amounts had not been substantial enough to cause financial ruin to the victim, compared to other blackmail cases heard by the courts.

Mr Berry said the dad-of-one was already in custody and had shown progress in completing various courses and detoxing. 

Mr Berry added: "This is a man not wasting his time in custody."

Sentencing Lines, Judge Nicholas Cole said: "You a thoroughly dishonest man. 

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"You took advantage, you saw the opportunity of what you thought was easy money.

"The Court of Appeal sees blackmail as one of the nasty and most vicious offences."

He jailed Lines for 18 months and said, as there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the sentence would not be suspended. 

Lines was given a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim. 

The judge warned Lines if he was "foolish enough" to breach it, he could expect a further five years in jail.