Doncaster Gypsy gang jailed for blackmail scam - Yorkshire

From the Star

A Doncaster gang who posed as “King of the Gypsies” Paddy Doherty in a bid to blackmail thousands of pounds from small business owners have been jailed for a total of 31 years.

William Adams and Terence Cunningham Snr staged the sophisticated scam during a 12-month operation and targeted businesses in Newcastle, Birmingham, Hull, Devon and Sheffield.

When victims refused to pay, the gang made threatening phone calls claiming to be Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star and Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy Doherty.

There is no suggestion Mr Doherty had any connection with the group.

The court was told that the gang threatened to castrate victims and that one company boss was told 200 caravans would be parked on his land “like Dale Farm” if cash was not paid.

Jailing the five-man gang for a total of 31 years, Judge Roger Thorn QC said: “Over a 12-month period a well-planned conspiracy was in operation to blackmail, with utterly vile threats, victims who were themselves utterly honest, decent and members of the community.

“The victims here were found to have been from as far away as Devon all the way up to Tyneside. Those who heard the evidence are unlikely to forget it for a very long time as well as the victims who will certainly never forget those threats.”

The gang struck at the Norman Burgess premises on St James’ Boulevard, in Newcastle city centre, in which they demanded £16,000 for unwanted work.

And they also visited the Briar Dene pub on The Links, Whitley Bay, and threatened David Horgan - boss of the Sir John Fitzgerald pub chain - that they would park 200 caravans on the pub car park.

Adams, 46, and Cunningham Snr, 48, both of Sutton Road, Askern, Doncaster, were handed eight-and-a-half year sentences and made the subject of a director disqualification order for five years.

Terence Cunningham Jnr, 26, of Sutton Road, Askern, was handed a six-year jail term and a director disqualification order.

Darren Squire, of Manor Road, Askern, will serve four years in prison. All were sentenced for a charge of conspiracy to blackmail.

Michael Howley, 72, of Highgrove, Messingham, Scunthorpe, who is already behind bars for washing dirty cash, was found guilty of money laundering. He was given four years behind bars.

see also: The Chronicle Live - Blackmail gang who posed as 'King of the Gypsies' jailed for 31 years