A 24-year-old woman from Caerphilly has been jailed after blackmailing someone she met online out of £28,000.

Lauren Dowling, of Gwaun Newydd, Porset Park, had threatened to share explicit images of the victim.

She appeared at Newport Crown Court on August 7, where she was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

PC Lisa Bird, of Gwent Police, said: “The victim in this case was blackmailed into handing over £28,000 after meeting Dowling online. 

“Over the course of nine months, Dowling made up numerous emails and fake profiles to frighten the victim into handing over the money by threatening to publish explicit images of him.

“The victim has been left in debt as a result of Dowling’s repeated demands.”

PC Bird added: “Dowling accepted in interview she had asked for the money but didn’t see it as blackmail.

“I welcome the sentence given – it demonstrates how seriously the criminal justice system views offences of this nature.”

Dowling was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170. The victim surcharge goes towards the Victim and Witness General Fund, which provides funding for victim services.