Callous crook goes on spending spree with cash

A deaf thug forced a fellow deaf man to hand over more than £4,000 or be “stabbed, killed and put in the ground.”

Emrah Gencer, 26, of Bredgar Road, Archway, escaped jail at St Albans Crown Court of Friday, despite backmailing his victim and going on spending spree with his ill-gotten gains.

The 38-year-old victim, from St Albans, he had just received an inheritance and Gencer, who was going out with the victim’s ex-girlfriend, persuaded a mutual friend - Dean Stanley - to arrange a meeting.

Prosecutor David Chrimes said: “This was an exploitative, manipulative and despicable offence on a vulnerable man. He was under severe threat and was told he would be stabbed, killed and put in the ground if he did not pay £4,000.

“He was petrified and went to the Nationwide in St Albans and withdrew £2,000, which he handed over. The next day he withdrew another £2,000 and £250 from another bank.”

The victim told his mother and police were informed. Stanley was arrested locally and Gencer a few days later, after being traced through Facebook.

Gencer had gone on a spending spree in Reading where he bought luxury items, including an Xbox - items which will no be sold and the cash given to the victim.

Gencer and Dean Stanley, 28, of The Paddocks, Colney Heath, pleaded guilty to blackmail with menaces. Gencer had initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea.

For Gencer, Andel Singh said he was profoundly deaf and would find it difficult to cope in prison.

Judge John Plumstead told him: “You intimidated a fellow member of the deaf community who was someone you should be in empathy with.”

He was ordered to pay £1,300 and given an 18 month sentence suspended for two years with a six month curfew.