Man with girlfriend and young daughter defrauded of £210 via online dating site sextortion scheme

Summary

Jimmy Featherstone, known as "Hull's Ken Doll," blackmailed two men through "sextortion" by demanding money and threatening to distribute intimate images, causing significant distress. The first victim, a man with a girlfriend and young daughter, was targeted after he sent photos to someone he believed was a woman on an online dating site. Featherstone, 25, of Hessle Road, west Hull, admitted blackmailing the first man between August 17 and 19, 2022, and later blackmailing a second man on January 2, 2023. The first victim paid a total of £210 in installments after Featherstone repeatedly demanded money and threatened to share his intimate images. The second man was also threatened with the distribution of a picture and received a PayPal request for £50, though no money was transferred. Featherstone had a history of 12 previous convictions, including stalking and breaching restraining orders, and was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence, drug rehabilitation, and a three-year restraining order.