Sittingbourne man charged with blackmail in Folkestone

A suspect has appeared in court within 48 hours of a blackmail being reported to police in Folkestone.

Kent Police received a report that an elderly woman in Hawkinge had been forced to visit a bank to withdraw £1,100 for a person known to her on Tuesday 12 November 2024.

A man was arrested the following day.

Charged

Jamie Barrett, 44, of Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne, was charged on Thursday 14 November with making an unwarranted demand for money with menaces. He appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on the same day.

He was remanded in custody and the case will next be heard at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday 16 December.