Sex chat line blackmailer locked up

A TEENAGE blackmailer, who extorted almost £90,000 from men using sex chat lines has been jailed for 45 months.

Sentencing Kelz Sutherland, 19, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Deirdre Macneill QC told him that rarely had she heard of such a background of trouble in younger years than his. However, she added, his behaviour had been despicable and there was strong indication that his behaviour was compulsive and he was a high risk to others.

Sutherland pleaded guilty last month to nine charges of extortion dating from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009. The men involved handed over a total of 87,700.

He also admitted attempting to extort 8000 from another man. The scheme came to light when the man did not pay up and went to the police.

A surveillance operation was mounted and the man's phone was monitored. Calls demanding payment led the police to Sutherland's home in Bath Street, Edinburgh.