Glamour model in Facebook blackmail plot was really a mum from Hull car firm

Katrina Ward, 31, created a fake profile on the social networking site belonging to the fictional 'Jada Harris' - complete with a picture of a stunning unknown brunette.

She claimed she worked for a modelling agency in London, but she actually worked for a car supplier in Hull, and used the alias to spy on ex-boyfriends.

But when she befriended a male acquaintance who she had a vendetta against, Ward and her boyfriend Michael Willingham, 23, conned him into thinking 'Jada' wanted a relationship with him and was moving to Hull.

They arranged for him to hand over 400 cash in a pub car park - claiming it to be for a deposit for Jada's new house - and persuaded him to film himself taking part in a sexual act which they then posted on YouTube, linking it from the Facebook site for all to see.

Events took a more sinister turn when Willingham rang the man and angrily said he was Jada's father, adding that she was just 15, and threatened to call the police unless he handed over a further 1,250 for her 'school fees'.

Willingham has now been jailed for 14 months after admitting blackmail and Ward was given a six-month sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to theft.

Ward's friend Victoria Bucknall, 23, who collected the 400 from the man, was ordered to complete 70 hours of unpaid work after admitting money laundering.

Judge John Dowse told Willingham: "After your partner explained to you about the site you came up with a scheme to get money from your victim. It was carefully planned and meant to impose distress."

Prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, James Byatt said Ward had created 'Jada Harris' two years ago to spy on ex-boyfriends, but when the acquaintance - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - made an "unkind comment" to Ward, the pair hatched a plan to "teach him a lesson" and Ward sent him a friend request.

Mr Byatt said: "Willingham became aware of this Facebook site and lured the complainant into thinking Jada desired a relationship.

"He accepted the friend request, they chatted on MSN and exchanged mobile phone numbers and text messages, which gradually became of a sexual nature."

Defending Willingham, Paul Genney said he was "obsessed" with Ward, explaining: "He has accepted sole responsibility for the blackmail. He was, and is, in love with a more sophisticated partner who is considerably older and more mature."

Ward was told to repay 380 pounds to the victim, pay 100 pounds costs and complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Bucknall will repay the 20 cut she was given and pay 50 costs.