Blackmail pair given jail terms

Two Shropshire cousins who blackmailed elderly people across the county have been given jail sentences.

Arthur Watton, 32, and Paul Watton, 23, had taken more than £4,000 off their victims, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Arthur Watton, from Wem, is already in jail and was sentenced to a further five years and four months.

Paul Watton, of Whitchurch, was jailed for three years. Judge Robin Onions said their crimes of blackmail and fraud were appalling and repugnant.

'Contemplated suicide'

Arthur Watton, of Pepper Street, and Paul Watton, from Higher Heath, targeted elderly and vulnerable people in Wem, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Bicton Heath, Newport and Ellesmere, the court heard.

Prosecutor Andrew Barkley said: "The charges involve the targeting of elderly people in their homes and that has had a profound effect on the complainants.

"One was forced to move from her home as a result of this. Another has contemplated suicide because of the effect it had on her." The judge said he would detain Arthur Watton indefinitely if he could.

He added: "Sooner or later he (Arthur Watton) is going to have manslaughter on his hands, because of one of his victims is going to drop dead as a result of his actions."

Arthur Watton admitted one charge of blackmail, two of fraud and asked for a further seven frauds and five blackmails to be taken into consideration.

Paul Watton pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud, two of burglary and asked for seven other frauds and blackmails to be taken into consideration.