Jail term suspended for faked kidnapping

A TASMANIAN man who faked his own kidnap in order to extract $4000 to gain “release from former drug associates” has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Nicholas Michael Butcher, 35, stood trial earlier this year on a count of blackmail. The jury found him guilty. In April last year Butcher sent a text message to an acquaintance who had helped him out financially in the past.

The text said he had been kidnapped by former drug associates and they would cut his fingers off if money was not deposited into a bank account.

The receiver of the text was also told Butcher would be killed if the police got involved.

The man became suspicious when he realised the bank account he was given was the same as that he had deposited money in before to help Butcher out. The police were then notified of the scam.

“There were no men, no kidnap and this was just a ruse to get money,” Justice Michael Brett told Butcher via video link to Burnie Supreme Court.

“The true situation was gleaned rather quickly. It was an amateurish attempt. But the false threats had worried the man who received the message and had the potential to divert police resources.

“The most serious aspect of this crime was the intent to deceive a man who had only shown you compassion in the past.”

Butcher was deemed unfit for home detention and was convicted of blackmail and sentenced him to six months in prison wholly suspended on condition he be of good behaviour for 18 months. He will also be on probation over that time.