Debts led to bomb hoax blackmail
An elderly businessman who caused fear, widespread disruption and financial loss when he placed a fake bomb at a bank has been convicted of blackmail.
Reginald Esqulant, 73, tried to extort money from Santander because he was heavily in debt, Maidstone Crown Court heard.
The bank and surrounding area in Sevenoaks was evacuated and the bomb squad called after he handed over a letter threatening to explode a device.
After the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said: “This behaviour was so extraordinary. A psychiatric report is likely to be of some assistance.”
Sentence was adjourned until after November 7.
Esqulant claimed he only wanted to speak to the manager about letters and calls he had been receiving about a missing mortgage payment of £2,196 for his family home in Lenham.
The father of three insisted he just wanted to ask the manager how he liked threatening letters.
But prosecutor Jennifer Oborne said Esqulant was desperate for money because he was in serious debt and faced a tax demand from for over £106,162.
Esqulant, of Fawkham Road, West Kingsdown, admitted making the hoax but denied blackmail.
He also denied taking a car without authority and driving while disqualified, but was also convicted of those offences.