A Hastings woman has been sentenced to 21 months' jail for blackmailing a pensioner with demands he pay thousands of dollars amid threats he would be "framed" with claims of sexual offences against an under-age girl.
Shandah Renee Tuahine had pleaded guilty to one charge, linked to six attempts to extort money from the 87-year-old, thought to have also involved two other offenders, although no one else had been charged.
In Hastings District Court yesterday, Judge Max Courtney declined an application by assigned counsel Eric Forster for a sentence of home detention, saying her repeated failures to attend court - leading to the issuing of four warrants - gave him little confidence she would abide by the conditions.
He said the offences, over almost two months in June and July last year, involved $4670, and would have continued had it not been for concerned bank staff who contacted police as the man asked for a $4500 cheque, while Tuahine waited outside.
The judge said demands had been made on the man in ever-increasing sums, and were met on all but the last occasion at the bank.
