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Blackmail and Extortion Solicitors

Blackmail allegations can arise from a wide range of disputes, communications and demands, but the prosecution must prove more than the fact that pressure was applied. The precise wording of the demand, the nature of the alleged threat and the purpose behind it can all be central to whether the offence is made out.

Our Blackmail and Extortion Solicitors will examine the communication or conduct relied upon by the prosecution and the wider circumstances in which it took place. 

Draycott Browne has more than 25 years of experience defending serious criminal allegations and is ranked by Chambers UK for Crime. Our team also includes solicitors accredited under the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation scheme, providing independently recognised criminal defence expertise alongside detailed case preparation and experienced Crown Court representation.

If you have been accused of blackmail or extortion, contacted by the police or asked to attend an interview, contact our criminal defence team for confidential advice.

How can Draycott Browne help?

The crimes of blackmail and extortion are extremely serious, and we understand that if charged you will be extremely anxious about the impact on your life and those around you. The criminal defence team at Draycott Browne are well known for extremely high levels of client care and service – we will represent you from your initial police interview right through to any trial or proceedings that arise.

Allegations of blackmail and extortion require a robust and thorough defence strategy – our expert criminal defence lawyers will stand by your side, tenaciously defending your best interests. If you are facing such criminal charges, contact us as soon as possible - based in Manchester, we regularly attend police stations, Magistrates and Crown Courts across the north west, and represent clients throughout England and Wales.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

Criminal Defence Expertise for Serious Crime Offences

Our Blackmail & Extortion OFFENCES Advice Team

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

What is blackmail?

Blackmail is an offence under section 21 of the Theft Act 1968. It is committed where a person, with a view to making a gain for themselves or another or with intent to cause loss to another, makes an unwarranted demand with menaces. For these purposes, gain and loss relate to money or other property and can be temporary or permanent.

A demand with menaces is unwarranted unless the person making it believes both that they have reasonable grounds for making the demand and that the use of the menaces is a proper means of reinforcing it. The menaces do not have to involve physical violence and can take different forms depending on the circumstances.

Demands can be made by a range of means, including postal communication, email or text or phone message. It is enough for either the demand or threat to be implied for a crime to have been committed – neither need to be explicitly made. For example, if a message is written containing a demand with a threat, it instantly becomes a criminal matter; this could include an unread text or answer phone message – a crime has been committed with the issuing of the threat, irrespective of whether the intended recipient has seen it or not.

What is the difference between blackmail and extorition? 

In England and Wales, blackmail is a specific criminal offence under section 21 of the Theft Act 1968. “Extortion” is commonly used to describe conduct involving demands backed by threats, intimidation or coercion, but it is not a separate general offence carrying its own equivalent statutory definition.

Conduct described as extortion may amount to blackmail where the requirements of section 21 are satisfied. Depending on the circumstances, other offences may also be relevant.

For example, threatening to kill another person can constitute a separate offence under section 16 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Kidnapping is also a separate common-law offence and may arise alongside blackmail where a person is unlawfully taken or detained and demands are subsequently made.

The precise offence will therefore depend on the nature of the demand, the threats or other conduct involved and the intention of the person making them.

Specialist Blackmail & Extortion Offence Lawyers

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Blackmail & Extortion Solicitors today.

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What will happen if I am accused of blackmail or extortion? 

If you are investigated or arrested on suspicion of having committed either blackmail or extortion, it is highly likely that your phone, PC, or any other devices used for communication will be analysed. It is important that you run through any relevant communications with your Blackmail Lawyers so that they fully understand the situation that you are in and the context of the complaint or allegation. The way in which any demands or communications were made will be key in determining the outcome of the case. Your solicitor will look at comparable cases for guidance – courts will consider:

  • the demand that has been made or alleged and the way in which it was communicated
  • the nature of the threat if the demand that was made was not met
  • the ability of the victim to meet that demand
  • the impact on the victim as a result of the threat, for example the level of distress and fear caused
  • the intention to cause distress and fear

How is a blackmail charge defended? 

In order to be found guilty, the prosecution must prove that any demands made were not reasonable, and that the use of menaces was improper. These are not straightforward claims to prove, and a team of experienced Blackmail Lawyers will be able to argue your case if you feel that you had reasonable grounds or motivation for your actions.

The defence available to you will depend broadly on the nature of the allegations – there are many different scenarios and levels of severity when it comes to the crimes of blackmail and extortion. Context is everything, and the Crown Court, which deals with charges of blackmail and extortion, will consider the communication that took place between you and the alleged victim, the level of organisation involved, the types of threatened actions, and the consequences to the victim. We will seek to demonstrate where possible that you had reasonable grounds for making the demand, and that the use of menaces was a reasonable means of reinforcement.

What are the sentencing guidelines for blackmail and extortion?

The maximum sentence for blackmail under section 21 of the Theft Act 1968 is 14 years’ imprisonment.

The current Sentencing Council guideline for blackmail, which came into force on 1 April 2025, requires the court to assess both culpability and harm. Factors can include the level of planning, whether violence was used or threatened, the duration of the conduct, the vulnerability of the victim, the distress or psychological harm caused and the value or significance of any property demanded. The guideline offence range extends from a community order to 10 years’ custody, although the statutory maximum remains 14 years.

There are several mitigating factors that a Court would consider when deciding on an appropriate sentence, including:

  • your character up until this point, and any previous conviction
  • whether you have shown any remorse for your actions
  • whether you cooperated with the investigation
  • whether your activity at the outset was legitimate, or you believed it to be so
  • whether you have a learning disability or a mental disorder
  • whether you have any serious medical conditions requiring treatment
  • whether you have responsibility for dependents, or are a carer

If you have any concerns or queries about the sentence you may potentially face, one of our experienced Blackmail Lawyers will be able to talk you through possible outcomes in relation to your unique situation. However, both blackmail and extortion are serious crimes, and if found guilty a custodial sentence is likely.

Contact our Extortion Lawyers & Blackmail Solicitors

If you or someone you know has been accused of crime involving extortion or blackmail, it is essential that you engage the expertise of professional criminal solicitors who will be able to help and advise you on a defence strategy as soon as possible. Contact us today by calling the number on this page. If you would like us to contact you, simply fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.

We are highly regarded nationally across the legal profession and noted for consistently delivering positive results for our clients. Our expert solicitors regularly act for clients in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London. As a recognised criminal defence law firm we can represent you wherever you live in England and Wales.

By entrusting one of the top Criminal Defence Firms in the country, you can be assured that you will be working with a team of highly skilled and experienced lawyers who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of this complex area of law.

Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need expert legal advice or representation, call us in confidence now.

When you are facing the stiffest challenges, you cannot afford to settle for anything less than Draycott Browne.

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