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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Former Pc is jailed for blackmail | Former Pc is jailed for blackmail |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A former police officer who admitted his part in bungled blackmail plots has been jailed for more than two years. | A former police officer who admitted his part in bungled blackmail plots has been jailed for more than two years. |
| South Wales Police firearms expert Pc Ray Clark, 41, used a replica handgun to help a gang scare their victims out of more than £40,000. | South Wales Police firearms expert Pc Ray Clark, 41, used a replica handgun to help a gang scare their victims out of more than £40,000. |
| But the scams backfired and Pc Clark was arrested by fellow officers before the gang collected any money. | But the scams backfired and Pc Clark was arrested by fellow officers before the gang collected any money. |
| A judge at Newport Crown Court also jailed two other men for seven years for their part in the blackmail plots. | A judge at Newport Crown Court also jailed two other men for seven years for their part in the blackmail plots. |
| Allan Coe, 45, and Anthony Holwell, 48, both of Newport, were jailed after their trial in which the former police officer gave evidence against them. | Allan Coe, 45, and Anthony Holwell, 48, both of Newport, were jailed after their trial in which the former police officer gave evidence against them. |
| Mark Brogan, 37, of Newport, admitted conspiracy to blackmail. He was given a suspended 12-month sentence and ordered to do 250 hours community work. | Mark Brogan, 37, of Newport, admitted conspiracy to blackmail. He was given a suspended 12-month sentence and ordered to do 250 hours community work. |
| Prosecutor Huw Evans told Newport Crown Court how father-of-two Clark, from Newport, was part of a plot by a gang trying to extort money from their victims. | Prosecutor Huw Evans told Newport Crown Court how father-of-two Clark, from Newport, was part of a plot by a gang trying to extort money from their victims. |
| Their first victim was suspected drug dealer Mark Griffiths. | Their first victim was suspected drug dealer Mark Griffiths. |
| Clark's evidence was not just icing on the cake but it was fairly crucial for the crown's case Judge Roderick Denyer | Clark's evidence was not just icing on the cake but it was fairly crucial for the crown's case Judge Roderick Denyer |
| Mr Evans said: "They surveyed Griffiths at a lock-up garage. They broke in but found no cash or cannabis which they suspected were there. | Mr Evans said: "They surveyed Griffiths at a lock-up garage. They broke in but found no cash or cannabis which they suspected were there. |
| "Clark kept watch on Griffiths while one of the accomplices told him he was under police surveillance from the Metropolitan force. | "Clark kept watch on Griffiths while one of the accomplices told him he was under police surveillance from the Metropolitan force. |
| "Mr Griffiths was told that it would cost him between £20,000 and £30,000 to make the police surveillance go away." | "Mr Griffiths was told that it would cost him between £20,000 and £30,000 to make the police surveillance go away." |
| Mr Griffiths ignored the threat until another accomplice made a telephone call warning: "Don't forget about your family or your kids." | Mr Griffiths ignored the threat until another accomplice made a telephone call warning: "Don't forget about your family or your kids." |
| But Mr Griffiths then contacted Gwent Police about the blackmail plot and it led to Pc Clark in the neighbouring South Wales Police firearms unit. | But Mr Griffiths then contacted Gwent Police about the blackmail plot and it led to Pc Clark in the neighbouring South Wales Police firearms unit. |
| Clark was also involved in a second blackmail plot. | Clark was also involved in a second blackmail plot. |
| Gypsies | Gypsies |
| Mr Evans said businessman Ronald Hancock was "nervous" - and was prepared to pay people to protect him and his gaming machine company. | Mr Evans said businessman Ronald Hancock was "nervous" - and was prepared to pay people to protect him and his gaming machine company. |
| Newport Crown Court heard Clark and his accomplices warned Mr Hancock that a gypsy gang was targeting his house but that he could pay for protection from "the SAS men". | Newport Crown Court heard Clark and his accomplices warned Mr Hancock that a gypsy gang was targeting his house but that he could pay for protection from "the SAS men". |
| Mr Evans said: "Ray Clark was to drive his car to Mr Hancock's front gate to make him think it was gypsies casing the joint. | Mr Evans said: "Ray Clark was to drive his car to Mr Hancock's front gate to make him think it was gypsies casing the joint. |
| "Mr Hancock then met Clark and he agreed to provide protection. They met in a car in a dark lane and Clark produced a gun. | "Mr Hancock then met Clark and he agreed to provide protection. They met in a car in a dark lane and Clark produced a gun. |
| "Mr Hancock was significantly frightened by the handgun and he was reduced to tears." | "Mr Hancock was significantly frightened by the handgun and he was reduced to tears." |
| But the the plan backfired when Mr Hancock phoned police. | But the the plan backfired when Mr Hancock phoned police. |
| Suspended sentence | Suspended sentence |
| Mr Evans said the motive was "purely to get money." | Mr Evans said the motive was "purely to get money." |
| He said: "It was a bizarre but quite determined plot." | He said: "It was a bizarre but quite determined plot." |
| Judge Roderick Denyer said: "Clark's evidence was not just icing on the cake but it was fairly crucial for the crown's case." | Judge Roderick Denyer said: "Clark's evidence was not just icing on the cake but it was fairly crucial for the crown's case." |
| The court heard that Clark's sentence was halved for providing evidence against Cole and Holwell and received a further reduction for pleading guilty. | The court heard that Clark's sentence was halved for providing evidence against Cole and Holwell and received a further reduction for pleading guilty. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated to ensure no other police officers were involved. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated to ensure no other police officers were involved. |
| South Wales Police dismissed Mr Clark before his trial. | South Wales Police dismissed Mr Clark before his trial. |
| The court heard he has recently participated in a video made by South Wales Police to warn new recruits about the dangers of becoming involved with criminals. | The court heard he has recently participated in a video made by South Wales Police to warn new recruits about the dangers of becoming involved with criminals. |