A sex offender blackmailed a teacher with threats to "ruin" him with false rape claims from former students.
Brandon Foskett got to know details of the victim, including the educational established he worked at, while employed as removals man at his home. The victim got a text message out of the blue referencing his place of work and threatening to report him to his employer and police, claiming two females were writing statements about him attacking them.
Foskett wrote: "Think you should get out of this one by sending 600 to my details below, don't ask questions, do it or I will ruin you. Don't test me lad, I know who you are and have a lot to take you down." He then gave account details for where the money was to be sent.
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Barry Robson, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "The complainant tried to laugh it off but he became concerned this unknown person knew personal details about him and mentioned the educational establishment where he used to work. The victim contacted police and the mobile phone number was examined.
"It was recorded on the police system and was associated with the defendant, who is a registered sex offender and had provided the police with the same number when registering as a sex offender." The victim also Googled the mobile phone number and found it was linked to a business Foskett was involved with. Police found the phone at his home, along with a...
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