Loyalist duo jailed for extortion

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6621165.stm

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Two Belfast loyalists who admitted attempting to blackmail an undercover policeman they thought was a builder have each been jailed for six years.

David Coleman, 21, Hopewell Crescent, and William McClean, 45, Hopewell Place, offered "security" for £5,000 to a firm enduring vandalism and thefts.

They told the undercover policeman who caught them they were from the UDA.

Judge Burgess said neither man was "just a messenger" as "they knew the threat was a real threat".

Offer ignored

McClean first approached staff at the east Belfast building site in November 2005 but the offer was ignored.

He came back two weeks later but this time he brought Coleman, and the pair left a mobile phone number where they could "sort the matter out".

The builders again ignored the threats, and a week later McClean told the site foreman if the cash was not paid, "the existing security would be put off the site".

A prosecution lawyer said undercover officers became involved at this stage, and arrangements were made to hand over cash at an east Belfast hotel.

When the pair arrived they claimed they were from the UDA and left with the money, but were arrested by police who were on standby nearby.

Sinister elements

During questioning, the two men claimed they had been put under pressure to become involved by more sinister elements because of debts they had.

Lawyers for the pair said it was clear that neither of them had been the "prime movers or chief architects" of the extortion.

Sentencing them, the judge ordered Coleman and McClean serve probation for a further 18 months and year respectively.

The judge said he was offering probation as each has their own problems to deal with, and "it's not just for them but hopefully to protect the public".