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Horse kill threat man sentenced | Horse kill threat man sentenced |
(30 minutes later) | |
A man who threatened to kill a top racehorse in a bid to avoid gambling debts of £55,000 has been given a 34-week suspended jail term. | |
Andrew Rodgerson, 26, told Conduit's owner the horse would be stabbed if it ran in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes last July. | |
He was arrested before the Ascot race, which was run amid tight security. | |
Rodgerson, from Rochdale, who admitted blackmail at an earlier hearing, was sentenced at Bury Magistrates' Court. | |
Conduit, which has an estimated stud value of £5m and was favourite for the race, went on to win on 25 July. | Conduit, which has an estimated stud value of £5m and was favourite for the race, went on to win on 25 July. |
Tight security | Tight security |
Rodgerson, of Craiglands, sent a text message with the initial threat to the horse's owner on 17 July 2009 - eight days before the prestigious race. | |
The British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) was contacted and they called in Greater Manchester Police (GMP). | |
Increased security was laid on by the BHA during the horse's journey to Ascot and when he was stabled at the racecourse. | Increased security was laid on by the BHA during the horse's journey to Ascot and when he was stabled at the racecourse. |
Conduit, ridden by Ryan Moore, went on to win the race | |
Rodgerson's address was identified from the emails he sent to Conduit's owner, in which he again demanded the horse should be withdrawn. | |
During interview he admitted making the threats because he had become heavily in debt to betting ring, GMP said. | |
He told detectives that if Conduit won the race he would owe the ring £55,000. If it did not run the amount would drop to £9,000. | |
Rodgerson insisted he had no intention of harming the horse. | |
Det Sgt Andrew Butterworth, of Rochdale CID, said: "Rodgerson made, what were to his victims, very real and very disturbing threats. | |
"He got himself into financial dire straights and thought blackmail was his way out. His actions were foolish and reckless." | |
Rodgerson's sentence was suspended for two years and he was also ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid work. | Rodgerson's sentence was suspended for two years and he was also ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid work. |