Two men jailed over tragic blackmail plot

The victim, from Pickering, was found dead at his home on January 8 this year.

Officers investigating his death found documents detailing how he had been threatened by people who had demanded money from him.

North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation and arrested Aysha Mullah, 18, and Javed Ali, 19, two days later. They were later charged with blackmail.

Mullah, of Olive Street, Bolton, and Ali, of Foxley Grove, Bolton, were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment when they appeared before York Crown Court this week.

Speaking after the court hearing, Det Insp Darrin Knight, of North Yorkshire Police, claimed the two offenders had acted in a cold and calculated manner.

“This was a cold, calculated and callous act by both offenders against a retired gentleman who had done nothing to provoke such action. The sentences for both defendants clearly reflects the serious nature of their crime and were only mitigated by the fact that they made early guilty pleas.

“The victim was the sole care provider for his elderly father and their guilty pleas spared him from the trauma of a full trial.”